It is time to clear the air of confusion that sets in whenever we hear people talk about Harvard College vs. Harvard University.
Invariably, Harvard University is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and of course, among the most renowned in the world.
In this article, we will take some time to look into some of the similarities and differences between Harvard College and Harvard University.
Below is the table of contents to provide you with an overview of what to expect in this article.
Table of contents
Harvard College VS Harvard University: An Overview
Harvard College is the undergraduate college of Harvard University, an Ivy League research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Established in 1636, It was the original school of Harvard University, which is now on the list of the most prestigious institutions in the world.
Currently, Harvard College handles all undergraduate matters regarding Harvard University and with the increasing demand for higher degrees, Harvard University came into existence.
Harvard University gained its popularity on the premise that it was the first university in America where one could get a degree at times when only the rich could afford it.
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What is the Difference Between Harvard College and Harvard University?
Harvard College is basically one of the many schools that make up Harvard University and offers a four-year undergraduate and liberal program for students who seek their first degree, with over 6,600 students there.
In addition to the college, Harvard University holds 10 graduate and professional schools with programs to suit students who already have acquired their first degrees and think it wise to advance in their careers through graduate programs.
These graduate schools at Harvard University all have their administrator offices and run independently of Harvard College. Hence, the research faculties, teaching, and admission processes are different.
The President and Fellows of Harvard College of Harvard Corporation oversee Harvard College, while the Board of overseers governs Harvard University.
On the contrary, Harvard University is vast, with over 14,00 students, and has strong connections to other research institutions.
Similarities Between Harvard College and Harvard University
Admission
Both schools have a highly selective admission rate although there may be a slight difference in the different programs they offer.
Also, there are no particular workings to how you can gain admission into the Harvard extensions. However, a high school accomplishment is paramount.
Other criteria, such as community involvement, leadership, and outstanding extracurricular activities, may be considered by the Admissions Committee.
Academics
Academics at any of the Harvard extensions provides the students with limitless possibilities to take them as far as they are ready to go in their careers.
Right from your first day in Harvard yard through your graduate-level year, you will experience a world full of rich and enviable traditions in America’s college town.
Research
Whatever your research interests are at either Harvard College or Harvard University, you will find proper funding to help you pull through with the research project.
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How They Work
Cost of Tuition
Studying at Harvard College for undergraduate programs have a fixed cost of $49,653 annually, but the cost of tuition for Harvard University’s graduate program ranges between $29,728 to $73,440 annually.
It is, however, in the records that regardless of the exorbitant prices, Harvard University offers a great number of scholarships and grants to students.
Schools/Programs
There are about 11 schools that make up Harvard University, and they are;
- The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
- Harvard Business School
- School of Dental Medicine
- Graduate School of Design
- John Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
- School of Divinity
- Law School
- Kennedy School
- Graduate School of Education
- Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Study
- T.H Chan School of Public Health
The graduate programs have a different structure in the following categories.
- Master’s program lasts for 1-2 years and involves the acquisition of both theoretical and practical knowledge in a specific profession.
- Doctoral studies go on for 5-6 years, while practice-oriented doctoral programs last for 3-4 years.
Harvard College offers over 3,700 courses in 50 fields of study which are basically interdisciplinary.
Below are the available concentrations.
Concentrations
- Art, Film, and Visual Studies
- Classics
- Comparative Literature
- East Asian Studies
- English
- Folklore and Mythology
- Germanic Languages and Literature
- History and Literature
- History of Art and Architecture
- Linguistics
- Music
- Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations
- Philosophy
- Religion, Comparative Study of
- Romance Languages and Literature
- Slavic Languages and Literature
- South Asian Studies
- Theater, Dance, and Media
Engineering and Applied Sciences
- Applied Mathematics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering Sciences
- Environmental Science and Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Sciences
- Astrophysics
- Chemical and Physical Biology
- Chemistry
- Chemistry and Physics
- Earth and Planetary Sciences
- Environmental Science and Public Policy
- Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology
- Human Evolutionary Biology
- Integrative Biology
- Mathematics
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Neuroscience
- Physics
- Statistics
- Applied Mathematics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering Sciences
- Environmental Science and Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Astrophysics
- Chemical and Physical Biology
- Chemistry
- Chemistry and Physics
- Earth and Planetary Sciences
- Environmental Science and Public Policy
- Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology
- Human Evolutionary Biology
- Integrative Biology
- Mathematics
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Neuroscience
- Physics
- Statistics
- African and African American Studies
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Government
- History
- History and Science
- Psychology
- Social Studies
- Sociology
- Women, Gender, and Sexuality
Because Harvard College majors in liberal arts and sciences, you can independently shape your own course of study and can easily find resources to make it happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
The annual tuition you must pay to attend Harvard College is $49,653, while the cost of tuition to attend Harvard University is between $29,728 and $73,440.
Harvard College is the undergraduate school of Harvard University in Massachusetts.
The acceptance rate at any of the Harvard schools is highly competitive, and they accept only about 4.6% of the total number of applicants.
Conclusion
It is worth remembering that Harvard College is an arm of Harvard University and has a very selective acceptance rate. Both institutions share the same goals to offer students a world-class research experience, but their programs differ.
Read this article to see the similarities and how they function.
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