About Economics at Harvard University
Economics trains students to analyse markets, policy, finance and human behaviour with quantitative methods, and opens careers in finance, consulting, government, international organisations and research.
At Harvard University (QS World University Rankings 2026: #5) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Economics is one of the subject areas international students choose most. Founded in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States and a member of the Ivy League.
Degree levels for Economics
- Bachelor’s — typical length in the US: 4 years
- PhD — typical length in the US: usually 5–6 years
Program names, specialisations and exact length differ by department — check the official program page before applying.
Admission requirements for Economics at Harvard
- Bachelor’s: apply through the Common App with transcripts, essays, recommendations and English scores.
- Master’s / PhD: a relevant bachelor’s degree, statement of purpose, recommendations, CV and English scores; some programs ask for the GRE. PhD applicants should show research experience and interests.
- English: TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program).
Fees and funding
University tuition (undergraduate, university-wide): Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program). Graduate and professional fees for Economics are set separately by the school. PhD students are usually funded through fellowships and teaching or research assistantships. Need-blind admission for international undergraduates with full demonstrated financial need met; PhD students are usually funded through fellowships and assistantships.
Careers and work after graduation
F-1 graduates can apply for up to 12 months of OPT. Some programs in this field are STEM-designated — check the program’s CIP code to see if the STEM OPT extension applies.
Apply for Economics at Harvard with GIEC Global
GIEC Global offers free counselling, program shortlisting, SOP guidance, application support and F-1 visa assistance for Economics at Harvard University.
