BA Computer Science at Harvard University

Programme overview

Computer science is about tools and technology, and also about understanding and engaging with the world. From swarms of insects to elementary particles, rational agents in a market, and neurons in a brain, the computational viewpoint has proven a fruitful way to understand natural, social, and engineered systems. Correspondingly, the Computer Science concentration has strong ties not just to engineering, but also economics, law, biology, physics, statistics, mathematics, linguistics, and more.

Faculty: Harvard College: Engineering & Applied Sciences | Department: Computer Science | Study mode: full-time | Location: Cambridge, MA, United States

What you will study

The Computer Science concentration has the following learning outcomes for our graduates: students will design and code correct solutions to problems; design and reason about algorithms; and develop and analyze the ways computation interacts with other systems. Gateway courses include More information available on our First-Year Exploration page . CS 32: Computational Thinking and Problem Solving (spring). Open to all, no prerequisites. Best to take this course first year. This course is appropriate for students who could not take CS 50 in.

Official programme page

Application information

USD 62,226 a year (2026-27). Harvard College undergraduate tuition for 2026-27, one rate for all students; excludes fees ($6,216), housing, food and health insurance. Source

Entry term is fall. Applicants choose Restrictive Early Action or Regular Decision; admitted students reply by May 1.

First-year applications through the Common Application: Restrictive Early Action closes November 1 with notification by mid-December; Regular Decision closes January 1 with notification by the end of March. The application fee is $95 (fee waiver available) and can be paid online via the Common Application. Harvard requires the SAT or ACT, with exceptions only where the tests are not accessible.

Apply through the official page: https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply

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