Oxford vs Harvard University: They are both world-renowned top universities. Their QS rankings for 2025 are fourth and fifth, respectively! Both of these universities have high teaching standards and have cultivated countless outstanding students. Among them, international students account for 42% of the total student population at the University of Oxford and 22% of the total student population at Harvard University. We will provide you with a detailed comparative analysis to enable you to clearly see the differences between the two universities. Gain a thorough understanding of the characteristics to assist in your future study and employment path.
University of Oxford
The history of the University of Oxford can be traced back to 1096. It is recognised as the oldest university in British history and the world’s first English-speaking university. The University of Oxford is a world-class institution which consists of a total of 40+ colleges. It offers over 550 high-quality courses covering disciplines such as science, technology, medicine, art and humanities.
University of Oxford is a model of modern teaching and research, combining historical analysis with contemporary creativity. It boasts the world’s oldest university museum (the Ashmolean Museum), the world’s largest university museum (Oxford University Press), and the largest academic library system nationwide (OUP). Among the graduates of the University of Oxford, there are three British prime ministers and twenty Nobel laureates, who have made outstanding contributions to the development of the world.
Harvard University
Harvard University is the oldest university in the United States, founded in 1636. As a world-class university, it boasts the highest quality of education, research and teaching, enjoying a global reputation. As one of the Ivy League schools, it has over 400,000 alumni, among whom 15% are international students from more than 180 countries. Each year, Harvard University offers over 46,000 courses, covering renowned undergraduate programs as well as graduate fields such as business, law, medicine, education, and the arts. A student-to-teacher ratio of 6:1 can ensure high-quality teaching.
Harvard University is the richest academic institution in the world. Meanwhile, its library houses over 20 million volumes and is the largest academic library in the world. The outstanding academic atmosphere and high-end practical opportunities have cultivated 8 US presidents, 24 heads of state and 31 heads of government, countless renowned scholars and 188 billionaires for the world.
Oxford vs Harvard University: Ranking
Many well-known institutions around the world analyse all the universities in the world and rank them. Therefore, ranking is one of the criteria by which you measure whether a university is good or not. The following are the rankings displayed by some well-known institutions:
| Rankings Compare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ranking Agencies | University of Oxford | Harvard University |
| QS World University Ranking 2026 | #4 | #5 |
| QS World Ranking Score 2026 | 97.9 | 97.7 |
| Times Higher Education Ranking 2026 | #1 | #5 |
| The World University Rankings by Subject 2026 | 1st in Medical and Health, Computer Science | 1st in Engineering and Life Sciences |
| U.S. News Ranking 2025-26 | – | #3 |
| 2025-2026 Best Global Universities Rankings | #4 | #1 |
In terms of rankings, the University of Oxford and Harvard University are evenly matched. You can gain an in-depth understanding of the leading positions of the two schools in the academic circle. Among them, the University of Oxford leads Harvard University in many rankings, but this does not represent the full picture of Harvard University. The ranking is only one of the bases for comparing two universities. You can make a rough comparison of the two schools based on the above data.
Oxford vs Harvard University: Course
Harvard University and the University of Oxford offer a wide range of courses covering numerous fields. They cultivated countless high-end talents in many fields around the world. Among them, the University of Oxford offers approximately 250 undergraduate courses and over 300 postgraduate courses, attracting more than 22,000 students to study here. Harvard University offers over 3,700 undergraduate programs and 134 graduate programs. You can choose your ideal university based on your favourite subject. The following are some of the courses and their related fees：
| Course | University of Oxford | Harvard University |
|---|---|---|
| Law | GBP 33K per year | USD 77.1K per year |
| Medicine | GBP 37.4K per year | USD 71K per year |
| Business | GBP 67K for the entire MBA program | USD 76.4K for the entire MBA program |
| Computer Science | GBP 41.7K per year | USD 54.2K per year |
| Engineering | GBP 41.7K per year | USD 63.6K per year |
Oxford vs Harvard University: Acceptance Rate
- University of Oxford: Data shows that the university’s admission rate in 2025 is 14%, remaining the same as previous figures. Compared with Harvard University, it emphasises “professional education”, hoping that students have professional and thorough planning before enrollment. It has stricter language requirements for students, demanding an IELTS score of 7.5 or above and a TOEFL score of 110 or above. Moreover, the university places greater emphasis on students’ interests in their professional fields and wants to understand their learning and exploration abilities in these fields.
- Harvard University: The admission rate of Harvard University in 2025 is 3.42%. Compared with the University of Oxford, Harvard University places more emphasis on the comprehensive quality of students. It not only focuses on students’ academic development, but also attaches great importance to their leadership, innovation, sense of social responsibility and other qualities. During the admission process, universities give more consideration to students’ academic achievements, extracurricular activities, papers, recommendation letters, and standardised test scores.
Oxford vs Harvard University: Eligibility Criteria
The relatively low admission rates indicate that the two universities have strict requirements for students. We will introduce to you the minimum score standards of the two universities to help you further compare the differences between the two schools:
| Test/ GPA | University of Oxford | Harvard University |
|---|---|---|
| GMAT | 690 | 500 |
| GRE | 321 | 296 |
| SAT | 1470 | 1048 |
| IELTS | 7 | 7 |
| TOEFL IBT | 100 | 104 |
| PTE | 66 | 54 |
| GPA | 4.5/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
- The University of Oxford: The admission requirements for the University of Oxford are relatively simple. A-level examinations represent the highest educational attainment that students can achieve. For international students, you can take A-level exams or any equivalent exams in the UK or internationally. In addition to the A-level exams, you also need to complete English proficiency tests such as IELTS/TOEFL or PTE. All transcripts and documents must be complete.
- Harvard University: If you are an American citizen, you just need to take the SAT exam seriously. Of course, Harvard University attaches great importance to the comprehensive quality of students. It chooses students who enjoy actively participating in extracurricular activities, community projects and have achieved certain results in fields other than academia. For international students, good English proficiency test scores are equally important. You need to take important English proficiency tests such as IELTS/TOEFL and PTE. At the same time, you must take the GRE, SAT, ACT or GMAT exams. All necessary documents and transcripts need to be complete. Convincing application statements and the like are equally important.
Oxford vs Harvard University: Admission Requirements
The admission requirements and procedures vary from school to school. You can choose the suitable university you can apply to based on your requirements:
University of Oxford Admission Requirement
The admission requirements of the University of Oxford include achieving A*AA or AAA in A-Level (or equivalent), as well as excellent results in GCSE and equivalent examinations (core subjects 8/9 or 7+). The specific grade requirements vary depending on the specific course. You can refer to the information provided on the official website to learn about the specific requirements.
The application process requires you to complete each step promptly to avoid missing important links. The following is a summary. You need to check the official website information of that year promptly to understand the specific steps and time:
- Apply: Apply to the University of Oxford using the UCAS system.
- Entrance examination: Some specific subjects require an entrance examination to assess your various abilities. The specific examination depends on the course requirements, such as TSA, BMAT and other examinations.
- Written materials: Undergraduate students are required to submit the thesis or other written materials specified by the course. Graduate students are required to submit three academic or professional papers. SOP is also necessary.
- Interview: The interview will be hosted by college mentors and mainly consist of academic discussions, assessing thinking ability and professional comprehension ability, etc.
- Waiting for the result: You can check your admission status on the UCAS system. If you are successfully admitted, you will receive an admission notice, clearly stating the admission requirements, such as academic performance requirements, language proficiency requirements, etc.
- Confirmation of admission quota: If the admission requirements are met, the admission quota will be confirmed. If the requirements are not met, one will be rejected or placed on a waiting list, depending on the circumstances.
Harvard University Admission Requirement
Harvard University requires students to submit their SAT or ACT scores. If you are unable to submit, you also need to meet the requirements of AP test scores, actual or predicted IB scores, actual or predicted GCSE/ A-level scores, or national graduation examination scores. You need to submit a secondary school report, including your academic records, transcripts, recommendation letters and school profiles, etc. You can also submit some supplementary materials that can showcase your talents or achievements in other areas. The admissions committee will decide at its discretion whether to accept supplementary materials.
The application process for Harvard University is equally complicated. You need to read the information on the official website carefully so as not to miss any step：
- Application: Harvard University accepts two Application systems, the Common Application and the Coalition Application. Applicants can choose either one and register an account on the official website during the opening hours.
- Prepare application materials: Complete high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores( international students also need to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.); Two to three recommendation letters, Personal statement, Supplementary essays, and List of extracurricular activities
- Submit the application: You need to submit your application before the deadline, hand in all the materials, and pay a $90 application fee.
- Waiting for review and interview: Harvard University will review the materials, and some applicants may receive an interview invitation.
- Receiving the admission notice: If you are admitted, you need to read the content of the notice carefully and complete the subsequent matters related to enrollment as required, such as confirming enrollment and paying the deposit.
Oxford vs Harvard University: Costs, Tuition and Scholarships
Through the previous introduction, I believe you have gained some understanding of the academic styles and application situations of the two universities. When evaluating a school, understanding the expenses required for enrollment is also an important factor. Your financial capacity will also significantly impact your choices.
Tuition
The tuition fees at the University of Oxford are relatively low. If you are an undergraduate student from the UK, the tuition fee cap for the 2025/26 academic year is £9,535. If you are an international student, you will roughly spend between £37,380 and £62,820. If you are studying clinical medicine, the cost will be higher. If you are a postgraduate student studying abroad, you will spend approximately £30,000 to £600,000 per year. If you are a British student, you will spend approximately £5,000 to £30,000 per year.
The tuition fees at Harvard University are relatively high. The tuition fee for full-time undergraduate students is approximately $57,246 per year. Tuition fees may vary depending on your major and college. You need to check the relevant information on the university’s official website.
Cost of Living
Your cost of living can vary greatly depending on your lifestyle. The official website of the University of Oxford shows that for the 2026-27 academic year, the monthly cost of living ranges from £1,405 to £2,105. You can plan your consumption based on the duration of your stay in Oxford and your own spending habits. We also introduce you to the approximate cost of living in Oxford.
According to the official website of Harvard University, if you live on campus, your monthly expenses are approximately £2,060. If you live off campus, your monthly living expenses are approximately $2,220. You can plan your expenditure budget according to different situations.
A major component of the cost of living is rent. According to data from uhomes.com, the rent for student accommodations near the University of Oxford is £1,378 per month. The rent for student apartments near Harvard University is approximately $3,600 per month. uhome.com offers a vast selection of student apartments for you to choose from. The rich selection of room types will meet the living preferences and budgets of different students. You will find your ideal residence here.
Scholarships
Scholarships can help students save some expenses. The University of Oxford offers the Crankstart Scholarship to British resident students whose family annual income does not exceed £32,500. If you do not meet the requirements of the Crankstart scholarship, you still have the opportunity to receive it. The University of Oxford offers over 1,000 aid opportunities for international students, including Chevening, Commonwealth, GREAT, National Overseas, QS, and more.
Harvard University also offers scholarships and grants to help students save on living expenses. Students who meet the conditions for financial aid can receive personalised grant programs. Whether you are a native student or an international student in the United States, you can receive assistance. If you are an American citizen, you could also consider a Federal Pell Grant, Free Application for Federal Student Aid or a Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG).
Oxford vs Harvard University: ROI
The return on investment (ROI) of a degree is also a very important consideration. ROI depends on the expenses incurred during the study period and the potential salary after graduation. Graduates from the University of Oxford earn an annual salary of approximately £40,000, while those from Harvard University have an average annual salary of $81,500. By making such a comparison, you can understand why a degree from Harvard University can be regarded as one of the most lucrative degrees in the world. Although Harvard University has an extremely bright salary prospect, the University of Oxford has lower tuition fees and, in comparison, also offers ideal cost-effectiveness. It is worth noting that the final return on investment depends on the specific major and career development path you choose. Therefore, the above data is for reference only.
Oxford vs Harvard University: Placement Rate
The future development of graduates is a rather important consideration. Both of the world’s top universities offer students many high-quality job opportunities. The following are the comparative data:
| University | Placement Rate (Within 6 months) | Average Salary Package |
|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | 93% | GBP 35.7K-70.7K |
| Harvard University | 95% | USD 97K-175K |
The employment rate also depends on different majors and employment choices. As the MBA major with the highest employment rate in two universities, we will introduce the recent employment situation of the MBA to you：
| Parameters | University of Oxford | Harvard University |
|---|---|---|
| Total Placements | 72% | 77% |
| Average Salary | £83,410 | $120,000 |
| Median Salary | £28,000 | $175,000 |
| Top Industry for Placement | Consulting: 31.9% | Finance: 33% |
| Highest Average Salary | Technology: £89,554 | Consulting: $190,000 |
It can be seen from this that the income of Harvard University students after graduation is considerable. This will be an important consideration for you when choosing a university.
Conclusion: Which is Better?
The above are the various aspects of the two top universities. It can be seen that they are evenly matched. They all have advantages in different fields:
- Ranking: In the QS ranking, the University of Oxford is higher than Harvard University, but both have top-ranked specialised programs.
- Majors: Both universities offer a wide range of majors for you to choose from. University of Oxford places more emphasis on the humanities, while Harvard focuses more on STEM-based courses. Therefore, you need to make your choice based on your own interests and the course schedule.
- Admission rate: The admission rate of the University of Oxford is higher than that of Harvard University, and the competition pressure is relatively small.
- Tuition fees: In comparison, the tuition fees at the University of Oxford are relatively low. However, both schools offer good financial aid services and will do their best to alleviate your financial pressure.
- Employment rate: The employment rate of Harvard University is significantly higher than that of the University of Oxford. However, the median salary of graduates from the University of Oxford is higher than that from Harvard University. Therefore, further thinking is still needed in this aspect.
In conclusion, when it comes to Harvard University vs Oxford University, there has never been the most standard answer. You need to compare the two institutions from multiple aspects based on your own ideas to make your final choice.
FAQ
Is Oxford University better than Harvard?
There is no absolute “better” between the two. It depends on your personal goals and the actual situation. Although Oxford University currently has the highest QS ranking, the two top institutions have different focuses. Oxford University focuses on the humanities, while Harvard emphasises high salaries and strong STEM programs. You need to choose your ideal college according to your own situation.
Is Oxford harder than the Ivy League?
Objectively speaking, neither the University of Oxford nor the Ivy League is “harder”. The admission rate of the University of Oxford is relatively higher than that of many Ivy League schools, it has a highly challenging interview process and the restriction that one can only apply to one university in the UK. Ivy League schools require students to possess a broader range of skills and the ability to explore. Although the admission rate is relatively lower than that of Oxford University, you can apply to multiple schools at the same time.
Is Harvard #1 in the world?
No, Harvard University is not ranked first in the world. According to the latest QS ranking, Harvard University ranks fifth.
