Top 10 Harvard Best Majors

Harvard University is renowned for its academic excellence across fields. Many students ask: what are the Harvard best majors? The answer varies: some majors are popular with undergraduates, while others hold top spots in global rankings.

In this blog, we’ll explore the 10 Harvard best majors that stand out both internationally and on campus.

• What Are the Best Majors at Harvard?
• Biology and Biochemistry at Harvard
• Economics and Business at Harvard
• Clinical Medicine at Harvard
• Molecular Biology and Genetics at Harvard
• Neuroscience at Harvard
• Oncology (Cancer Research) at Harvard
• Pharmacology and Toxicology at Harvard
• Psychiatry/Psychology at Harvard
• Public, Environmental, and Occupational Health at Harvard
• Surgery at Harvard
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Best Majors at Harvard?

Harvard offers more than 50 concentrations, but some programs clearly stand out. A select group of the Harvard best majors consistently rank at the very top worldwide, backed by world-class research, renowned faculty, and unmatched resources. These 10 fields not only hold #1 global rankings according to U.S. News, but also make the biggest impact on students, careers, and society.

Here are the 10 Harvard best majors, chosen for their academic excellence and lasting influence:

Note: Harvard actually ranks #1 globally in 18 academic fields, but this list highlights the 10 most impactful programs that students frequently pursue and that shape global scholarship and careers. These represent the core of the Harvard best majors, though other fields also hold top rankings.

In the following sections, we’ll discuss what makes these Harvard best majors stand out.

1. Biology and Biochemistry at Harvard

Among the Harvard best majors, Biology and Biochemistry stands out as a program ranked #1 globally. Offered through the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) track, it gives students a strong foundation in the life sciences while allowing them to tailor coursework to their research goals. This field is widely regarded as one of the best majors at Harvard for students interested in medicine, research, and biotechnology.

Highlights:

• Core areas: genetics, biochemistry, molecular & cellular biology
• Access to 800+ faculty, labs, and hospitals
• Research in stem cells, viral diagnostics, and genetic diversity
• Located in Boston–Cambridge’s biotech hub with 130+ life sciences companies

Graduates pursue careers in academia, biotech, medicine, and pharmaceuticals. Notably, Derrick Rossi, co-founder of Moderna, is an alumnus of this program.

2. Economics and Business at Harvard

Business Economics is widely recognized as one of the Harvard University best majors, combining global prestige with strong undergraduate popularity. At the graduate level, the Business Economics PhD program—a collaboration between GSAS and Harvard Business School—offers rigorous economics training alongside business-focused research.

Highlights:

• Study areas include behavioral, financial, labor, and international economics
• Access to leading faculty from both GSAS and HBS
• Longstanding program history dating back to 1916
• Graduates go on to careers at top universities (MIT, Stanford, LSE) and organizations like the Federal Reserve Bank and FTC

This program gives students the tools to analyze markets, shape policy, and influence the future of global business and economics.

3. Clinical Medicine at Harvard

Clinical Medicine, offered through Harvard Medical School, is also consistently ranked #1 worldwide and is considered one of the best majors in Harvard.

The MD program provides unmatched training in patient care, science, and research, with two curricular tracks: Pathways, which emphasizes active learning and early clinical exposure, and Health Sciences & Technology (HST), a collaboration with MIT that integrates medicine, science, and engineering.

Highlights:

• Combined degree options: MD-PhD, MD-MBA, MD-MPH, and more
• Extensive advising, mentoring, and student support services
• Research opportunities with funding for clinical, service, and scholarly projects
• Training across Harvard’s world-class hospitals and research centers

Graduates are prepared to lead in medicine, healthcare innovation, and academic research, making Clinical Medicine one of the most impactful and best majors in Harvard.

4. Molecular Biology and Genetics at Harvard

Harvard’s Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) program, part of the Molecules, Cells, and Organisms (MCO) PhD track, is also ranked #1 globally and stands out as one of the best majors in Harvard. The program prepares future scientific leaders to explore how genes, molecules, and cells influence organisms, behavior, and evolution.

Highlights:

• Study molecular mechanisms, cell biology, genetics, and evolutionary dynamics
• Emphasis on both conceptual and mathematical models to guide research
• Dissertation topics range from cancer genetics to circadian biology
• Graduates work at top institutions (Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Caltech) and companies like Genentech, Novartis, and Google

This program blends rigorous science with innovative research, preparing students to advance biotechnology, medicine, and academic discovery.

5. Neuroscience at Harvard

Harvard’s Neuroscience program, part of the Harvard Integrated Life Sciences (HILS), is ranked #1 globally too and is considered one of the best Harvard majors. With more than 150 faculty from Harvard and affiliated hospitals, students gain both a strong foundation and specialized training in brain science.

Highlights:

• Interdisciplinary research across biology, psychology, and cognitive science
• Access to state-of-the-art labs, imaging tools, and custom experimental facilities
• Opportunities through the Harvard Brain Science Initiative (HBI)
• Research areas include neural circuits, development of the nervous system, and genetics of neural function

Alumni work at leading universities (Harvard, Stanford, Rutgers) and organizations like Biogen, Google, and McKinsey.

6. Oncology (Cancer Research) at Harvard

Oncology is ranked #1 worldwide and is recognized as one of the Harvard best majors, too. Harvard leads global efforts in cancer research, treatment, and education, with training across institutions such as the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Boston Children’s Hospital.

Highlights:

• The Harvard Radiation Oncology Program (HROP) offers three years of clinical training and one year of research
• Specialized programs in immuno-oncology, exploring therapies like checkpoint inhibitors and CAR T-cell treatments
• Access to cutting-edge labs, faculty mentors, and collaborative networks across Harvard hospitals
• Graduates go on to leadership roles in clinical medicine, cancer research, and healthcare innovation

This program combines patient care with groundbreaking discoveries, preparing the next generation of oncologists and physician-scientists to fight one of medicine’s greatest challenges.

7. Pharmacology and Toxicology at Harvard

Harvard’s work in pharmacology and toxicology is ranked #1 globally, making it one of the Harvard best majors. The Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology (BCMP) combines advanced research with clinical applications, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of biology and disease through structural, chemical, and molecular approaches.

Highlights:

• Research on drug action, development, and the molecular basis of disease
• Courses like HMX Pharmacology teach fundamentals such as pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and drug toxicity
• Faculty-led training connects lab discoveries with real-world clinical applications
• Alumni move into careers in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medicine

This field equips students to pioneer safer, more effective treatments while shaping the future of drug discovery and personalized medicine.

8. Psychiatry/Psychology at Harvard

Harvard is ranked #1 in psychology and psychiatry, making it one of the Harvard University best majors. The Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School brings together more than 2,200 faculty and 500 trainees from institutions such as Mass General, McLean Hospital, Boston Children’s, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, offering a full continuum of behavioral health care.

Highlights:

• Comprehensive clinical services, from inpatient and outpatient care to emergency and consultation programs
• Largest training site in the U.S. for general and child psychiatry residencies, with fellowships in fields like addiction, forensic psychiatry, and neuropsychology
• Undergraduate psychology program offers tracks in general psychology, cognitive neuroscience, cognitive science, and evolutionary psychology
• Over $160M in research funding, supporting discoveries in psychiatric neuroscience, psychopharmacology, and mental health policy

Graduates go on to careers in clinical practice, research, and academia, making psychology one of the most popular majors at Harvard and a leader in advancing mental health worldwide.

9. Public, Environmental, and Occupational Health at Harvard

Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health is ranked #1 globally in this field, making it one of the Harvard best majors as well. The program prepares students to tackle urgent global challenges such as climate change, workplace safety, pollution, and population health.

Highlights:

• Research and training in air and water quality, toxins, workplace hazards, ergonomics, and climate change
• Professional programs in Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety, offering skills in lab design, radiological emergency management, and industrial hygiene
• Hands-on opportunities to develop evidence-based solutions for protecting workers, communities, and the environment
• Faculty and alumni have influenced major public health advances, from the invention of the iron lung to shaping U.S. air pollution policies

This program combines science, policy, and leadership training to prepare students for impactful careers in public health, environmental sustainability, and occupational safety.

10. Surgery at Harvard

Harvard is ranked #1 in surgery, making it one of the best majors in Harvard, too. The program combines world-class clinical training, research, and global health leadership. Through the Program in Global Surgery and Social Change (PGSSC), Harvard Medical School and its affiliates work to expand access to safe, affordable surgical and anesthesia care worldwide.

Highlights:

• Research on surgical disease, barriers to care, and delivery in low-resource settings
• Training for medical students, residents, and fellows in global surgery and anesthesia
• Partnerships with ministries of health, NGOs, and international collaborators
• Strategic focus on research, policy and advocacy, and capacity building
• Strong commitment to health equity, social justice, and leadership development

Harvard’s surgical programs prepare future leaders to innovate in hospitals, research centers, and global health initiatives—advancing both patient care and equitable access to surgery around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are Harvard’s best majors?

The Harvard best majors include Economics, Biology, Psychology, and Medicine. These are both the best majors at Harvard for popularity among undergraduates and consistently top-ranked worldwide.

2. What are the most popular Harvard University best majors among undergrads?

The most popular Harvard University best majors are Economics, Psychology, Government, Computer Science, and Neuroscience. These attract the highest number of students each year.

3. What are the best majors in Harvard for global rankings?

Harvard holds the best Harvard majors globally in 18 fields, according to U.S. News. The top 10 most impactful include Biology and Biochemistry, Clinical Medicine, Neuroscience, Oncology, Public Health, and Surgery.

4. Is Harvard the best university for medicine and health sciences?

Yes. Programs in Clinical Medicine, Public Health, and Surgery are consistently ranked #1 worldwide, making them some of the best majors in Harvard for students pursuing healthcare careers.

Takeaways

• The Harvard best majors include globally top-ranked fields like Biology, Medicine, and Psychology, as well as popular undergraduate programs like Economics and Computer Science.
• Economics leads as one of the best majors at Harvard, while fields like Public Health and Surgery dominate in global academic rankings.
• Students in the best Harvard majors benefit from world-class faculty, research opportunities, and career preparation across industries.
• Harvard holds the #1 spot globally in 18 academic programs, showing why the Harvard best majors are celebrated for their academic excellence and real-world impact.
• Interested in applying to one of the best majors in Harvard? Our Private consulting program can help you craft a standout application.