In this in-depth Harvard MBA Cost breakdown and funding tips analysis, we cover:
- Harvard MBA (Tuition Fees) (1-year)
- Harvard MBA (Total Cost) (1 year)
- Harvard MBA (Total Cost) (2 years)
- Harvard MBA Cost: 2025-26 vs. 2024-25
- Harvard MBA Funding Tips
- Harvard MBA Scholarships and Fellowships
- Harvard MBA External Funding
- Harvard MBA Loans
Tuition Fees (Harvard MBA) (1-Year)
The tuition fee for the Harvard MBA for the academic year 20245-26 is $78,700. This shows a 2.9% annual hike trend at the Harvard MBA program, slightly higher than the growth of 2% over the last two years.
Total Cost (Harvard MBA) (1-Year)
The total cost for 1-year includes the Student Health Insurance plan ($4,308), Harvard University Health Services Fee ($1,800), Harvard University Student Health Program for children and dependents (average $4,308 per dependent person), Course Materials ($2,800), Housing ($18,900 for single and $28,980 for married per 9 months), Living Expense ($20,028 for single and $26,482 for married students for 9 months) taking the total cost of a Harvard MBA program to $126,536 for a single person, $152,962 for a married person, $171,902 for a Married person with a child and spouse co-habiting, and $178,514 for a Married Person with 2 children and spouse co-habiting.
9 to 12 Month Difference: Since the academic year for the Harvard MBA program is for 9 months, the living expenses and Room & Utilities are budgeted for 9 months; there is an additional anticipated cost of $12,976 for single students and $18,487 for married students per year. This will apply to the students residing off-campus or staying for a summer program.
Total Cost (Harvard MBA) (2-Year)
On doubling the amount and adding the $12,976 and $18,487 (9-to-12-month difference in the first year), the total cost that needs to be budgeted for a Single Person is $2,66,048, Married Person ($3,18,900).
A computer Variable of $1,500 is not added to the cost mentioned above.
Expenses | Cost For Single Students (2025-26) | Cost For Married Students (2025-26) |
| Tuition | $78,700 | $78,700 |
| HUHS Student Health Fee (SHF) | $1,800 | $1,800 |
| Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) | $4,308 | $4,308 |
| HUSHP For Student Spouse/Dependents | $0 | $9,892 |
| Course & Program Materials Fee | $2,800 | $2,800 |
| Housing (9 months) | $18,900 | $28,980 |
| Food (9months) | $9,100 | $11,480 |
| Transportation (9 months) | $2,360 | $4,061 |
| Other Living Expenses (9 months) | $8,568 | $10,941 |
| Computer [Variable; not included in Total] | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Total | $126,536 | $152,962 |
Harvard MBA Cost: 2025-26 VS 2024-25
The total estimated cost of attendance for single students at Harvard Business School increased from $118,854 in 2024–25 to $126,536 in 2025–26, marking a 6.5% overall rise in expenses.
Tuition Fee Inflation – 3% Increase
Tuition rose from $76,410 to $78,700, reflecting a 3% increase.
Health-related Insurance and Other Fee Inflation – 13.1% Increase
Health-related fees saw notable changes: the HUHS Student Health Fee (SHF) increased by 13.1%, from $1,592 to $1,800, while the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) rose by 2.5%, from $4,202 to $4,308.
Course and Program Material Fee Inflation – 5.7% Increase
The Course & Program Materials Fee increased by 5.7%, from $2,650 to $2,800. Housing expenses went up by 9.4%, from $17,280 to $18,900. The food budget experienced the steepest rise, increasing by 48.7%, from $6,120 to $9,100, possibly reflecting revised estimates for the local cost of living.
Transportation Cost Inflation – 3.5% Increase
Transportation costs increased slightly by 3.5%, while Other Living Expenses rose by 3%, from $8,320 to $8,568.
Food Cost - Largest Increase (48.6%) while Living Expense (2.9%)
Overall, the largest cost increases were in food and housing, driving the bulk of the overall rise in estimated student expenses for the 2025–26 academic year.
| Stanford MBA (Expenses) | Cost For Single Students (2024-25) | Cost For Single Students (2025-26) |
| Tuition | $76,410 | $78,700 |
| HUHS Student Health Fee (SHF) | $1,592 | $1,800 |
| Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) | $4,202 | $4,308 |
| Course & Program Materials Fee | $2,650 | $2,800 |
| Housing (9 months) | $17,280 | $18,900 |
| Food (9months) | $6,120 | $9,100 |
| Transportation (9 months) | $2,280 | $2,360 |
| Other Living Expenses (9 months) | $8,320 | $8,568 |
| Total | $118,854 | $126,536 |
Related: Harvard MBA Cost Trends
Harvard MBA Funding Tips
The Financial aid at Harvard is met by need-based scholarships that have no payback conditions (free money) and fellowships (that have conditions on selection and post-MBA engagements).
Need-Based Scholarship - Distribution Trends at Harvard MBA
50% of Harvard MBA students receive need-based scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $76,000 annually, whereas 10% of the student body receives 10% of full tuition scholarships. Over two years, Harvard has distributed an average of $93,000 in need-based scholarships, with $43m in aid being distributed each year.
How is need-based scholarships calculated at Harvard MBA?
The need is determined by a standardized calculation that takes into consideration the gross income of the candidate for the past three years, asset evaluation, the background of the candidate, the responsibilities of the person (family and additional living expenses), as well as opportunities (income and assets of spouses)
Harvard MBA Scholarships and Fellowships
On average, each Harvard MBA student receives $46,000 in scholarships per year, or a total of $92,000.
These scholarships are funded by alumni.
Scholarships with Demographic Criteria
In addition to the scholarships, students can avail of fellowships that require meeting specific conditions - RISE fellowship (commitment to Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx), John C. Phelan (MBA 1990), Forward Fellowship (low-income background), George Leadership Fellowship (Joint Degree participant - leadership potential), Horace W. Goldsmith Fellowship (commitment to a non-profit career or leadership), John H. McArthur Canadian Fellowship (Canadian applicants), Harvard University General Scholarships (all graduates and undergraduates), Traveling Fellowships (to meet the travel requirements of the MBA program).
Need-Based Full Tuition Scholarship
Harvard School has also announced a full tuition scholarship to the students with the greatest financial need.
Veteran Fund - Discontinued in 2025-26
The Black Family Scholarship, which offered $20k to 5 to 8 US Veterans or active duty military students, was discontinued in 2025.
| Scholarship/Fellowships | Number of Awards/ Amount |
| RISE Fellowship | $10,000 to 10 MBA candidates |
| John C. Phelan (MBA 1990) Forward Fellowship | $30,000 ($15,000 each year) |
| Horace W. Goldsmith Fellowship | $10,000 to seven to ten (7–10) first-year MBA students |
| Junior Achievement Fellowship | Five $10,000 fellowships each year |
| George Leadership Fellowship | $12,000 |
| John H. McArthur Canadian Fellowship | USD $20,000 ($10,000 per year) |
| Harvard University General Scholarships | NA |
| Traveling Fellowships | NA |
Harvard MBA External Funding
Students can apply for up to $40,000 (total for 2 years) from external funding sources along with the Harvard Scholarship award, but if in case students receive more than $40,000 from any external funding, then the Harvard Scholarship award automatically gets reduced.
External Funds - $5000 to $90,000
Harvard offers 45 external funding sources, including 4 new fundings sources students with categories such as Women, Minorities, Veterans, International students, LGBTQ, and Farmworking. The total amount of the awards ranges from $5000 to $90,000.
| Criteria | Award Name | Amount |
| Women | American Association of University Women (AAUW) | Variable Amount ($20,000-$50,000) |
| Minority Students | American Indian Graduate Center Fellowships | NA |
| Hispanic Scholarship Fund | $500-$5000 | |
| The LunaCap Foundation | $10000 | |
| Minorities in Government Finance Scholarship | $5000-$25000 | |
| Prospanica | $5000 | |
| John Mack ABANA Fellowship | $15,000 for two years | |
| American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Scholarship for Minority Accounting Students | $5,000 | |
| Veterans | Yellow Ribbon Program | $40,000 |
| Post-9/11 GI Bill® | Tuition Fee and Monthly living allowance | |
| Montgomery GI Bill | NA | |
| Veteran Readiness and Employment (formerly Vocational Rehabilitation) | NA | |
| Wells Fargo Veterans Scholarship Program | $10,000 | |
| The LunaCap Foundation | $10,000 | |
| The American Warrior Association Scholarship | $10,000-$15,000 | |
| Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEAP/REAP) | NA monthly payment | |
| New Americans | Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans | $90,000 |
| Colleges/Grads | George and Mary Knox Graduate Scholarship (Bowdoin College) | $8,950 to $82,900 |
| The McCabe Fellowship (Swarthmore College) | $5000 | |
| The Carey Fund (University of Notre Dame) | NA | |
| Business Discipline | Accountemps/American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Student Scholarship | $5,000 |
| Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Scholarships | $5000- $25000 | |
| Orbis Investment Management MBA Fellowship | $15,000 | |
| MSCPA Scholarships | $2500-$10000 | |
| LGBTQ | Point Foundation | Variable Amount |
| Farmworking | The Rising Farmworker Dream Fund | NA |
| Other | Samvid Scholars | $50000 |
| International Students | Boustany Foundation | 75% of the tuition fee |
| British Friends of Harvard Business School Fulbright Scholarships (UK) | NA | |
| Eduarda Justo Foundation (Spain) | NA | |
| Fundação Estudar (Brazil) | 5% to 95% of the requested amount | |
| Fundacion Mexico en Harvard | $10,000-$25,000 | |
| French-American Chamber of Commerce Bellanger Business School Scholarship Program | $10,000 | |
| Harvard Business School Foundation of Germany (HBSF) | NA | |
| Instituto Ling Scholarship Program (Brazil) | Variable | |
| KHMW-Eizenga Scholarship for Dutch Students (The Netherlands) | NA | |
| Kosciuszko Foundation (Poland) | $50,000 | |
| Kuwait Investment Authority MBA Scholarship | Tuition Fee and monthly stipend | |
| LIFE Scholarship (Lebanese International Finance Executives) | 30% of Tuition and $12,000 | |
| The Sainsbury Management Fellowship Scheme (EU/UK) | £50,000 | |
| 7UP Harvard Business School Scholarship (Nigeria) | Tuition Fee, Board, and Travel expenses | |
| Tao Shing Pee Education Foundation (People's Republic of China) | NA | |
| Tao Shing Pee Education Foundation (People's Republic of China) | NA |
Harvard MBA Loans
The Scholarships are offered assuming that a typical Harvard MBA has $99,000. (a $10,000 increase from the previous year) loan under their name for the entire program duration. Scholarship recipients' average student loan debt was $94,000, but the neediest recipients' average debt was only $75,000 in student loans.
Harvard MBA Students Loans (US Candidates)
The primary loan option is through the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan (max $20,500)(lower interest rate) and Graduate PLUS Loan (higher interest rate).
Private Loans - 3 to 5 Years repayment
The second option is private loans that often have a variable interest rate. There are many loan providers that don’t require collateral for US citizens and Permanent residents. The option should only be considered if you plan to pay off the loan in the short term - 3 to 5 years. This option is not recommended for anyone entering non-profit, entrepreneurship, or relatively low median base salary industries (Retail and Consumer Product Goods) or functions (Marketing, Business Development, and General Management)
Harvard MBA Students Loans (International Candidates)
For international students, the best options are private loans from their home country, as almost all loan providers need a US co-signer or collateral in the states to disburse funds.
Is Harvard MBA right for you?
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