Mansi parihar Study Abroad Course Expert
Study Abroad Course Expert | Updated On - Aug 22, 2025
Harvard University and University of Oxford rank amongst top 10 most prestigious universities in the world. Choosing between two of them is extremely difficult as one is Ivy League Institute and the other is known for educating world leaders.
Harvard University is ranked #5 in the world according to QS World University Rankings 2026. University of Oxford is ranked #4 in the world according to QS World University Rankings 2026.
| Harvard University | University of Oxford | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 10 Out of 10 | 8.9 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 5 QS World University 2026 # 1 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 3 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 4 QS World University 2026 # 1 Times Higher Education 2025 # 3 QS World University 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 1 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 6 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 1 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 | # 2 for Engineering by QS World University 2025 # 3 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 2 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -40 PG Programs -53 Doctorate Programs -9 | UG Programs -22 PG Programs -43 Doctorate Programs -17 |
| Acceptance Rate | 3.4 % | 17.5 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-620 GRE-300 IELTS-7 SAT-1470 TOEFL-80 | GMAT-650 GRE-320 IELTS-7 SAT-1470 TOEFL-100 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 71030 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 32724 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 51763 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 37894 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 17040 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Harvard University is one of the top private universities in Cambridge, United States. It is ranked #5 in QS World University Rankings 2023 and ranked #1 in US UNI.
| University of Oxford is one of the top public universities in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is ranked #4 in QS World University Rankings 2023.
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| Campuses and B-Schools | Harvard Law School Harvard Extension School Harvard Kennedy School Harvard Business School | Said Business School |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.1/10 Read 5 reviews | 8.3/10 Read 10 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 1 for Business by QS World University 2025 # 6 for Business by US News 2025 # 2 for Business by Times Higher Education 2023 | # 5 for Business by QS World University 2025 # 1 for Business by Times Higher Education 2023 |
| application | #9856 Applicants # 930 Admissions # 9 % Acceptance Rate | #5183 Applicants # 311 Admissions # 6 % Acceptance Rate |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 145/160GMAT - 740/800GRE - 326/340IELTS - 7.5/9PTE - 75/90TOEFL - 109/120 | GMAT - 650/800GRE - 380/340IELTS - 7.5/9TOEFL - 110/120 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Sep 3, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline for Fall 2028 Intake) Dec 10, 2025 (Round 1 Application Decision for Fall 2028 Intake) Jan 5, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline for Fall 2028 Intake) Mar 25, 2026 (Round 2 Application Decision for Fall 2028 Intake) | Mar 16, 2025 (Stage 5 Application Deadline For 2025 Intake) Apr 24, 2025 (Stage 5 Decision Deadline For 2025 Intake) Sep 1, 2025 (Stage 1 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) Oct 1, 2025 (Stage 2 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) Oct 17, 2025 (Stage 1 Decision Deadline For 2026 Intake) Nov 3, 2025 (Stage 3 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) Nov 14, 2025 (Stage 2 Decision Deadline For 2026 Intake) Dec 12, 2025 (Stage 3 Decision Deadline For 2026 Intake) Jan 7, 2026 (Stage 4 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) Mar 6, 2026 (Stage 4 Decision Deadline For 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Harvard University | University of Oxford |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1636 | 1096 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 7:1 | 11:1 |
| Male:Female | 52% Male, 48% Female | 54% Male, 46% Female |
| Location Facts | Harvard Yard: Campus’s historic hub, Harvard Square: Campus’s personal hagout destination with restaurants, cafe, bookstores, theater, shops. Well connected to the local neighborhood of Boston by public transport, the campus traverses the Charles River to near by Allston. | A collegiate research university in Oxford, England; 39 Oxford colleges; located in south England, 90 minutes from London. |
| Library | Largest academic library in the world. 20.4 million volumes, 400 million manuscript items, 180,000 serial titles. The library offers various grants and fellowships for both students and faculty. | University has over 100 libraries. Bodleian Libraries include university’s main library and 30 other libraries across Oxford having over 12 million printed books and 80,000 e-journals. Also, every college has its own library. |
| Campus Life | Students from over 50 states and 80 countries are offered assistance by over 400 official student organization. The campus has its own museum, radio station, magazine and newspaper. Along with student clubs for Aikikai, archery, dance, theatre/drama, music, etc, campus also offers cultural & racial initiatives, asian student centric-projects, etc. Varsity sports, crimson pride and various atheletic teams. | University has over 400 student societies including Oxford Union (debating society), Music Society, Dramatic Society, etc. Two weekly university newspapers are published: Cherwell and The Oxford Student. |
| Hostel | #Medium Single - $10719 #Large Single - $13644 #Standard Single - $8361 | #Accommodation - $11100 |
| Famous Alumni | Eight US Presidents, 62 living billionaires, 242 Marshall Scholars, 359 Rhodes scholars. Barak Obama (ex-president of USA), Michelle Obama (Former First Lady of USA), Mark Zuckerberg, Natalie Portman (Actress), Bill Gates, Conan O’ Brien (comedian writer), Al Gore (Winner-Peace Prize), Matt Damon (Actor), Helen Keller, Subramaniam Swami (Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha) | 30 British Prime Ministers, 55 Nobel Prize winners, 120 Olympic medal winners; Helen Fielding (author), Edward de Bono (philosopher), Hugh Grant (actor), Stephen Hawking (physicist), Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi (cricketer) |
| Weather |
Harvard University vs University of Oxford – A Comprehensive Comparison
Harvard University and the University of Oxford are among the top 10 universities of the globe in 2025 according to both QS and THE. The University of Oxford is marginally better with 1st position by THE and 4th position by QS WUR 2025. Ranking of Harvard University is, however, close behind with 4th position by THE and 5th position in QS WUR 2025.
- On the basis of 2024 enrollments, student enrollment stood at approximately 24,519 in Harvard, while in Oxford stands at 26,595.
- The University of Oxford has an international student enrollment of 43%, which is significantly higher than Harvard University's 27%.
- It is harder to gain admission into Harvard University, with an acceptance rate of just 3.4%, compared to the University of Oxford acceptance rate of approximately 17.5%.
- Oxford University and Harvard University both require an IELTS score of 7.5. A average TOEFL-iBT score of 110 is also accepted as equivalent. Both of these universities welcome students with a competitive GMAT/GRE test score as well.
Harvard Business School is ranked 13th on the Financial Times Global MBA 2025, and Said Business School is ranked at 11th on the same ranking. However, law schools from both institutions are in an equivalent position with the University of Oxford ranked 2nd and Harvard University ranked 1st for Law & Legal Studies by QS WUR Rankings 2025.
Both the universities are globally renowned, and admission to either of them is a matter of prestige for any student. Therefore, it is hard to decide in favor of one of them. Ultimately, the best fit depends on your specific academic goals and personal preferences.
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