BA Economics at Harvard University

Programme overview

Economics is a social science that covers broad subject matter in seeking to understand the social world. An economic analysis begins from the premise that individuals have goals and that they pursue those goals as best they can. Economics studies the behavior of social systems—such as markets, corporations, legislatures, and families—as the outcome of interactions through institutions between goal-directed individuals.

Faculty: Harvard College: Social Sciences | Department: Economics | Study mode: full-time | Location: Cambridge, MA, United States

What you will study

The Harvard Economics Department aims to teach undergraduate students the basic principles of economics, to introduce them to various subfields within economics, and to give them a foundation in understanding and carrying out economics research. Gateway courses include ECON 10a (fall, spring) and 10b (fall, spring), Principles of Economics . Open to all students, no pre-requisites. Students interested in economics are encouraged to take Ec 10 during freshman year. (Students with appropriate AP or IB scores in economics may.

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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