About Economics at Harvard University
Economics at Harvard University is one of the subject areas that brings the largest number of international applicants to the university. Harvard University, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is ranked 5th in the QS World University Rankings 2026 overall, and the Economics department benefits from the same research funding, library access and careers support available university-wide.
Admission Requirements for Economics
Admission requirements for Economics at Harvard University follow the university-wide pattern: strong academic results, an application essay or statement of purpose specific to Economics, letters of recommendation, and proof of English — typically IELTS 7.0 overall or TOEFL iBT 100+. Competitive Economics programmes may ask for a higher score or additional evidence of relevant experience, so always check the live programme page before applying.
Tuition Fees and Scholarships
Economics at Harvard University is charged within the university’s standard international tuition range of approximately $56,000 – $64,000 per year, though laboratory-based or professional variants of the programme can sit at the higher end. Harvard University also offers merit-based scholarships of up to $20,000 that Economics applicants are eligible to apply for alongside everyone else.
Career Prospects After Economics
Graduates of Economics at Harvard University go on to a mix of further study and direct entry into the job market, helped by Harvard University’s careers centre and its employer relationships in the Economics sector. International graduates who want to stay in the US after finishing can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and use that time to build US work experience, including working abroad after graduation, before deciding on a longer-term plan.
Comparing Study Destinations
If you are still comparing Economics against Harvard University’s equivalents elsewhere, it is worth stepping back and comparing studying in the United States itself against other destinations — many applicants researching Economics also look at migrating to Europe and migrating to Canada before narrowing down to a single country.
Apply for Economics at Harvard University with GIEC Global
GIEC Global offers free guidance for Economics applicants to Harvard University — shortlisting the right level and programme variant, reviewing your essays and SOP, preparing documents, applying for scholarships, and supporting your F-1 visa application once you have an admit. We can also walk you through all GIEC Global study-abroad destinations if you are still comparing destinations for Economics.
Course names and curriculum for Economics at Harvard University change slightly year to year, so always check the live programme page for the intake you are actually applying to rather than relying on a general subject overview.
International students choosing Economics at Harvard University over a similar programme elsewhere often cite the department’s research reputation and the location of Cambridge itself as the deciding factors, alongside total cost.