National University (NU) vs Harvard
National University and Harvard University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, stand at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of acceptance rates, student body demographics, and academic offerings. National University, a private, non-profit university in San Diego, California, boasts an open admissions policy, welcoming students from all backgrounds and academic levels. In contrast, Harvard University, an Ivy League institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of just 5%. While National University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including online and evening classes, Harvard is renowned for its rigorous liberal arts curriculum and world-class research opportunities. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more distinctions between these two universities and make an informed decision about your academic future.
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![]() Harvard University |
![]() National University |
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Overview |
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Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts | La Jolla, California |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Non Traditional |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 96.0% | 100.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 4.0% | 54.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$105
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SAT range | 1480 - 1580 | N/A |
ACT range | 33 - 36 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 54.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 31.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 57,786 | 154 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,318 | 84 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,951 | 38 |
Yield rate | 84.2% | 45.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $78,028 | $36,459 |
Average net price | $13,910 | $9,966 |
Tuition | $51,143 | $13,320 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$11,705
Meal plan:
$7,236
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
56.0%
Average amount $59,840 |
100.0%
Average amount $8,610 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
3.0%
Average amount $5,180 |
|
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $8,080 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
9,579
Men 49.0% Women 51.0% |
7,648
Men 47.1% Women 52.9% |
Graduate students |
21,766
Men 46.3% Women 53.7% |
9,487
Men 28.7% Women 71.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 23.9% | 0.6% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 12,874 | N/A |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | N/A |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California Texas Illinois New Jersey | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 7:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 96.7% | 46.7% |
Dropout rate | 2.0% | N/A |
Transferred out | N/A | 43.3% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Statistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (First Professional Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Public Health (Master's Degrees)
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology (Master's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
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Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Educational/Instructional Media Design (Master's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
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