The name Harvard University needs no introduction, but to give some context, Harvard is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. With a long academic history, including several well-known alums and staff, Harvard University is the first corporation formed in the United States and the oldest institution of higher learning.
A Master’s degree from Harvard can sound like a pricey deal and some prospective Master’s students might not even think about it for one of these reasons: High GRE scores or High GPA scores.
Now let’s check for some of Harvard’s master programs with detailed information with their tuition cost.
M.S. Computational Science and Engineering at Harvard University
An M.S. in computer science or data science is one of the elite programs at Harvard University. The Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) and Data Science Master’s programs have different tuition structures than other degree programs in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
CSE is a fascinating and quickly developing discipline that uses computation power as a strategy to tackle significant problems at the cutting edge of natural and social science and all technical fields. The Master’s program gives students experience with mathematical modeling and simulation techniques for complex systems, parallel programming, collaborative software development, and strategies for organizing, exploring, visualizing, processing, and analyzing enormous data sets. It sits at the intersection of Computer Science and Applied Math. Applying for either the Master of Science (SM) or Master of Engineering (M.E.) degree is an option for students interested in the CSE program. To earn the S.M. degree, students must complete eight courses. The degree can be achieved in two semesters (or one academic year). Still, many students decide to stay on for a third semester to take more classes and give themselves enough time to seek a summer internship in business. To earn the M.E. degree, students will spend four semesters (two academic years) on campus, spending a year on a master’s thesis research project after completing the same eight courses required for the S.M.
- For 2024, Computational Science and Engineering master of science (SM): $59,968 (one-year program).
- For 2024, Computational Science and Engineering master of engineering (M.E.): $59,968 (first year); $29,984 (second year).
M.S. Data Science at Harvard University
Data science is a field that combines computational science, statistical technique, and a wide range of application areas. The curriculum offers significant training in statistical modeling, machine learning, optimization, managing and analyzing enormous data sets, and data collecting. The course focuses on concerns in data science related to security and ethics, reproducible data analysis, group problem-solving, visualization, and communication. Students must pass 12 courses for the Master of Science in Data Science degree. Students must spend at least three semesters on campus (one and a half academic years). Some students will choose to continue their studies for a fourth semester to take additional courses or complete a master’s thesis research project.
- 2024, Data Science, Master of Science (SM): $59,968 (first year); $29,984 (second year: one term only).
These are just the tuition fees for on-campus courses; what adds up after this is the cost of living and other study expenses, including books, travel, stay, meals, and so on.
Online Master’s at Harvard
The online Master’s programs at Harvard are just as prestigious and carry weight wherever you apply for a job without weighing you down with hefty student loans to look after.
Prospective Graduate students will be happy to know that Harvard University has made all the Graduate courses Online for the 2024–25 admission cycle. More than 70% of the courses (nearly 1000) are offered Online.
The online degree in the Master’s program at Harvard would cost you around $35,000 for the entire course and will worry you about the extra expense that comes along. You will only be spending on a degree if having a sound computer system and internet connection. This is facilitated by the Harvard Extension School, which aims to bring all the courses online.
To look at it mathematically, an average cost of $120,000 for an on-campus degree, excluding the living expenses vs. $35,000 worth of an online degree, will cut the price by at least 50%.
But there is more. Ivy Leagues like Harvard University offer opportunities for students to earn back what they invest in their education by serving many funding opportunities, especially for the Computational Engineering and Data Science fields.
While financial aid is not available for Master’s students in the M.E. and S.M. programs at Harvard, a variety of funding opportunities are available. Prospective students are encouraged to apply for independent grants and fellowships to fund their studies.
Once you have been accepted into the Data Science or Computational Science and Engineering Master’s degree program at Harvard University, you will become eligible for additional funding.
The Data Science or Computational Science and Engineering Master’s degree program at Harvard University does not require prospective students to attempt GRE and submit their scores since it has waived off GRE as a necessary element for admission. This way, the students don’t have to stress about their GRE preparation and are saving time and money spent on preparation and attempting GRE.
One of the most significant advantages of an online master’s course is that you do not just save up on your living expenses but also get ample time on your hands to do a job and earn. Most students pursuing their online masters are working professionals and claim that they choose this option since it makes working and earning alongside upskilling much more feasible and affordable.
This can make your degree free of cost since you are also not giving up on job or income opportunities while studying, and you earn back your fees in no time.
Some courses at Harvard University with their GRE requirement are mentioned below:
Scholarships and Funds at Harvard for Masters degree
Companies like Amazon and Google offer fellowship programs to support talented students from diverse technical and multicultural backgrounds pursuing Master of Science degrees. The program was developed to help emerging science leaders from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM, awarding scholarships, mentorship, and career opportunities.
The Generation Google Scholarship was established to help aspiring students pursuing computer science degrees excel in technology and become leaders in the field. Selected students will receive USD 10,000 (for those studying in the U.S.) or CAD 5,000 (for those looking in Canada) for the 2024–2025 school year.
The Generation Google Scholarship will be awarded based on the strength of each candidate’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, demonstrated leadership, and academic performance.
Amazon Robotics Day One Fellowship: The fellowships are aimed at helping students from underrepresented backgrounds establish careers in robotics, engineering, computer science, and related fields.
IACS awards scholarships from an anonymous donor’s annual gift. These awards are primarily distributed to students to fund part of the research year for a master’s thesis. Awards have typically ranged from $5000 to $20,000. Applications for these scholarships open in the Spring semester.
It must be noted that Harvard follows a strict policy of Merit-Based Admission and need-based Aid. The grants, additional scholarships, and fellowships add up to give maximum output on fee investment. This way, the students get there at a minimum expense, and most of their costs are returned to them in such financial aid forms to make it affordable.
Can you study for free at Harvard University?
It might come to you as a surprise, but it is, in fact, possible to get your degree from Harvard for free.
This is different from a traditional method of zero pay system which will help you get your degree for free. One will have to make an initial investment of fees to be a part of the course, and as the course proceeds, one earns back their investment.
How does an Online Course make your degree from Harvard free of cost?
The answer is in the calculation.
- Step 1: An online course is traditionally taken from the comfort of one’s home, which is why it is cheaper than an on-campus course. As a flipside to the COVID adversities, Harvard started offering more than 70% of its practices online. The fees for these courses are at least 60% lesser than the on-campus course.
- Step 2: Online courses reduce the overall cost of living, moving, and other necessities. As an international student, online courses are a relief since the cost of living is the priciest affair of studying in an internationally recognized institution. The cost of residence being struck off from the list of expenses relieves the student.
- Step 3: By studying online, students can have more free time, which they can utilize by working and earning. This way, the students do not have to compromise on their day jobs and can make the money they would have instead had to wave goodbye to in case these courses were on campus.
- Step 4: Additionally, Harvard is known to have outstanding scholarship, fellowship, and funding opportunities. Based on the needs of the students according to financial conditions, Harvard offers scholarships. Funding has more than one resource when tons of workshops are held by MNCs or other various institutions, and based on the workshops; the students get a chance to earn scholarships from these institutions.
The fellowships are offered to Ph.D. students where they can participate in teaching or assisting the professor in the class or their research and score monetary benefits through the salary of being a teaching faculty or via the funding offered for the research.
Through the above four simple steps, one can get their degree from Harvard for free.
Conclusion
In conclusion, taking online Harvard courses can be a great way to save both money and time. By enrolling in online courses, you can avoid many of the expenses associated with traditional on-campus education, such as housing, transportation, and other miscellaneous costs. Additionally, taking courses online allows you to complete coursework at your own pace and on your own schedule, which can be especially beneficial if you have work or other obligations that prevent you from attending classes on campus.