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Babson College vs Harvard University

Babson College is a private college in Wellesley, MA. Harvard University is a private university in Cambridge, MA. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants and Babson College about 17%, making Harvard University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $19,066 a year at Harvard University after aid, and about $40,514 at Babson College. About 97% of students graduate at Harvard University, compared with 93% at Babson College. Ten years after enrolling, Babson College alumni earn a median of about $123,938, against $101,817 for Harvard University.

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Babson College

Wellesley, MA · Private

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Wellesley, MA
Cambridge, MA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
2,728
7,601
Acceptance rate
17%
4%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.49–4
3.55–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1390–1530
1510–1580
ACT (middle 50%)
31–34
34–36
Test policy
Test optional
Required
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$40,514
$19,066
Full cost / yr
$80,192
$85,540
In-state tuition
$57,152
$61,676
Out-of-state tuition
$57,152
$61,676
Application fee
$75
$85
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$23,641
$8,697
$30k - $48k
$17,077
$2,991
$48k - $75k
$16,861
$2,091
$75k - $110k
$55,470
$9,941
Over $110k
$80,192
$53,337
Outcomes
Graduation rate
93%
97%
Freshman retention
95%
98%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$91,354
$99,572
Median earnings (10 yr)
$123,938
$101,817
Median debt at graduation
$20,000
$14,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
16%
16%
First-generation students
15%
26%
International students
28%
15%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Nov 1
Regular decision
Jan 4
Jan 1

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Babson College or Harvard University harder to get into?
Harvard University is harder to get into. It admits about 4% of applicants, compared with 17% at Babson College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Babson College or Harvard University?
Harvard University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $19,066 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $40,514 at Babson College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Babson College and Harvard University?
Before aid, Babson College costs about $80,192 a year and Harvard University about $85,540. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Babson College or Harvard University?
Harvard University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,697 there, against about $23,641 at Babson College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Babson College or Harvard University?
Harvard University is the larger of the two, with about 7,601 undergraduates against 2,728 at Babson College.
Does Babson College or Harvard University have a better graduation rate?
Harvard University has the higher graduation rate, at about 97% against 93% at Babson College.
Do graduates of Babson College or Harvard University earn more?
Babson College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $123,938 ten years after enrolling, against about $101,817 for Harvard University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Babson College and Harvard University require SAT or ACT scores?
Babson College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Harvard University requires SAT or ACT scores.
What SAT scores do Babson College and Harvard University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1390–1530 at Babson College and 1510–1580 at Harvard University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school