Between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, Harvard University granted 1,753 bachelor’s degrees. In addition to these undergraduates, the year saw thousands of graduate students completing their master’s and doctoral programs. For the undergraduate class, though, which majors topped the list?
In this guide, we look at the most popular majors at Harvard and which fields attracted the most undergraduates that year. Ranked by their share of degrees, these ten programs highlight the variety of academic strengths that continue to draw students to Harvard.
- What Are the Most Popular Majors at Harvard?
- Social Sciences at Harvard
- Biological and Life Sciences at Harvard
- Mathematics and Statistics at Harvard
- Computer and Information Sciences at Harvard
- History at Harvard
- Physical Sciences at Harvard
- Engineering at Harvard
- Psychology at Harvard
- Visual and Performing Arts at Harvard
- Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Harvard
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
What Are the Most Popular Majors at Harvard?
The table below, based on Harvard’s 2024–2025 Common Data Set, shows the percentage of bachelor’s degrees awarded by discipline between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. These figures determine the ranking of the ten most popular majors at Harvard.
| Major | Share of Harvard Bachelor’s Degrees Conferred | Estimated Number of Graduates |
| Social Sciences | 27% | 473 |
| Biological and Life Sciences | 13% | 228 |
| Mathematics and Statistics | 12% | 210 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 11% | 193 |
| History | 8% | 140 |
| Physical Sciences | 8% | 140 |
| Engineering | 5% | 88 |
| Psychology | 4% | 70 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 3% | 53 |
| Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 3% | 53 |
Roughly 473 graduates, or just over one-quarter of all Harvard bachelor’s degrees, were in the social sciences. The remaining degrees were spread across the life sciences, mathematics and statistics, computer science, history, physical sciences, engineering, psychology, the arts, and languages.
Social Sciences at Harvard
Social sciences are the most popular majors at Harvard, representing 27% of all bachelor’s degrees. The best choices within this field are Economics, Government, and Sociology, which pair rigorous theoretical study with experiences that put those ideas into practice.
Students tap into resources like the Institute of Politics, the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, and policy-focused collaborations with the Harvard Kennedy School.
Joint concentrations allow students to combine social sciences with fields like history, psychology, or computer science. Independent research often begins in junior year, culminating in policy briefs, econometric analyses, or senior theses.
The quality of these programs are reflected in their global and national rankings:
- #1 in Economics in the U.S. (U.S. News)
- #1 in the world for Economics (QS)
- #1 in Politics worldwide (QS)
- #2 in Political Science in the U.S. (U.S. News)
- #1 in Sociology in the U.S. (U.S. News)
- #1 in the world for Sociology (QS)
Graduates leave with a portfolio of applied research and strong analytical skills, ready for roles in law, public policy, consulting, and academia.
Biological and Life Sciences at Harvard
Life sciences account for 13% of Harvard bachelor’s degrees and span concentrations such as Molecular and Cellular Biology, Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Integrative Biology, and Neuroscience.
These programs integrate classroom learning with hands-on research, and students often join labs at Harvard Medical School, the Broad Institute, and Harvard-affiliated hospitals.
Here are some of the highlights:
- Fieldwork opportunities like the Harvard Forest and Woods Hole marine studies.
- Interdisciplinary pathways linking biology to computer science, chemistry, and engineering.
- Senior theses based on original experiments, many of which lead to publications.
Harvard is ranked #1 in Biological Sciences in the U.S. by U.S. News, #1 worldwide in Life Sciences by Times Higher Education, #1 in the world for Life Sciences by QS, #1 in the world for Biological Sciences by QS, and #1 in Best Global Universities for Neuroscience and Behavior by U.S. News.
Mathematics and Statistics at Harvard
Mathematics and Statistics together make up 12% of Harvard’s undergraduate degrees, which place them among the most popular majors at Harvard. Students choose between pure mathematics, applied mathematics, and statistics, with opportunities to combine studies with economics, biology, or computer science.
The department is famous for Math 55, a highly rigorous course, but offers multiple entry points for students with different preparation levels.
Small upper-level classes promote strong faculty-student relationships, and research opportunities range from summer programs to senior theses. Student groups and mentoring initiatives create a supportive academic community.
These majors’ quality is evident in the following rankings:
- #3 in Mathematics in the U.S. (U.S. News)
- #2 in the world for Mathematics (QS)
- #3 in the world for Statistics (QS)
- #3 in Statistics in the U.S. (U.S. News)
Graduates develop exceptional quantitative reasoning skills and pursue careers in academia, tech, finance, and data-intensive industries.
Computer and Information Sciences at Harvard
Computer science accounts for 11% of Harvard bachelor’s degrees and combines strong technical training with opportunities to explore interdisciplinary interests. Students often participate in cutting-edge research through the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), with many graduates going on to roles in top tech firms, startups, and competitive graduate programs.
Students in Harvard’s computer science program earn an A.B., with the option for highly qualified candidates to pursue the concurrent A.B./S.M. track, completing a master’s degree alongside their bachelor’s.
Joint concentrations in fields like linguistics, psychology, and statistics are common. These combinations often lead to research in areas such as natural language processing, cognitive modeling, or applied statistics, which give students a broader skill set and open diverse career paths.
Here are some of the program highlights:
- Signature courses like CS50, which attract students from across disciplines and offer a strong foundation in programming and computational thinking.
- Research opportunities in AI, cybersecurity, and data science at the Institute for Applied Computational Science, which give students hands-on experience with emerging technologies.
- Access to interdisciplinary initiatives such as the Harvard Data Science Initiative, which connects students with projects in public policy, healthcare, and business.
- Industry partnerships that provide internships, hackathons, and collaborative projects with leading tech companies.
- Opportunities to participate in Harvard’s student-led tech organizations, such as HackHarvard and the Harvard Computer Society, which promote networking and skill development outside the classroom.
- Pathways to graduate-level coursework and research through cross-registration with MIT’s Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) department.
Ranked #10 worldwide in Computer Science by Times Higher Education and #7 in the world by QS, Harvard’s computer science program equips graduates for roles in software engineering, research, and entrepreneurship.
Harvard is also nationally ranked by the U.S. News & World Report #17 in Computer Science, #17 in Programming Languages, and #21 in Artificial Intelligence.
History at Harvard
History, one of the most popular majors at Harvard, makes up 8% of Harvard degrees and offers an unmatched range of fields, from ancient civilizations and medieval cultures to modern geopolitics and the history of science. Students begin with broad survey courses before moving into smaller, writing-intensive seminars that train them to think critically and engage with primary sources.
Junior tutorials prepare students for archival work, paleography, and historiography, while study-abroad options give them access to archives and fieldwork around the world. Many pursue senior theses that uncover new perspectives on well-studied eras, supported by competitive research grants.
Harvard’s libraries, including the Houghton Library and Widener Library, give history students inimitable access to rare manuscripts, maps, and documents.
This program’s reputation is backed by top rankings:
- #1 worldwide in History (QS)
- #2 in History in the U.S. (U.S. News)
Graduates emerge as strong writers and critical thinkers, moving into careers in law, academia, publishing, and public service.
Physical Sciences at Harvard
Physical sciences account for 8% of Harvard degrees, covering physics, chemistry, and earth sciences. The program combines theoretical rigor with extensive research opportunities, often starting before junior year. Students benefit from small upper-level classes and access to state-of-the-art facilities.
Here are some of the program highlights:
- Research opportunities at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and Harvard’s observatories.
- Advanced teaching labs in the Science Center for chemistry and physics.
- Fieldwork in areas such as geology and climate science.
Harvard regularly places in the top five worldwide for both physics and chemistry. Here is how the program ranks across major global and national lists:
- #3 nationally in Physics (U.S. News)
- #2 worldwide in Physics (QS)
- #9 nationally in Earth Sciences (U.S. News)
- #4 nationally in Chemistry (U.S. News)
- #1 worldwide in Chemistry (QS)
- #2 worldwide in Physical Sciences (Times Higher Education)
These strong showings in physics, chemistry, and related disciplines open doors for students to join groundbreaking research projects, from probing quantum materials to advancing sustainable energy solutions.
Engineering at Harvard
Engineering accounts for 5% of Harvard’s bachelor’s degrees and is anchored in SEAS. Students can specialize in fields like bioengineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and environmental engineering, with opportunities to customize their path through joint concentrations.
Cross-registration with MIT expands access to advanced labs, specialized courses, and collaborative research networks. This partnership allows students to tap into MIT’s engineering ecosystem, from cutting-edge robotics facilities to entrepreneurial hubs that connect them with startups and industry mentors.
Harvard’s engineering students often work alongside faculty on funded projects, from developing next-generation medical devices to designing sustainable energy systems. Many gain hands-on experience through SEAS design studios, industry-sponsored capstone projects, and internships with global tech leaders.
The program holds strong rankings across leading evaluators:
- #1 worldwide (Times Higher Education)
- #9 in the world for Engineering and Technology (QS)
- #20 nationally (U.S. News)
Graduates leave with a combination of technical depth and broad problem-solving skills, positioning them for careers in sectors like biotechnology, robotics, product design, and renewable energy. Many also pursue advanced degrees in engineering, business, or public policy to lead innovation at the intersection of technology and society.
Psychology at Harvard
Psychology makes up 4% of Harvard degrees, making it one of the most popular majors at Harvard. The program covers a wide spectrum of disciplines, including cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, and social behavior.
Students begin hands-on research early and join labs that explore topics from decision-making and memory to mental health interventions and brain imaging technology. Here are some of the program highlights:
- Specialized tracks such as Mind, Brain, and Behavior, which bridge psychology with neuroscience, philosophy, computer science, and even economics for a multidimensional approach to human thought and behavior.
- Fieldwork opportunities in schools, hospitals, and community organizations, which allow students to apply psychological principles to education, healthcare, and policy development.
- Strong research infrastructure, with access to facilities like the Center for Brain Science and the Harvard Decision Science Laboratory.
- Interdisciplinary collaborations with Harvard Medical School, the Graduate School of Education, and the Kennedy School, offering diverse perspectives on psychological research and practice.
- Emphasis on analytical skills through courses in research design, statistics, and science communication, which prepare graduates for careers in both academia and applied fields.
Harvard’s psychology program ranks #3 in the nation according to U.S. News, holds the #1 spot worldwide in the QS rankings, and is placed #4 globally by Times Higher Education.
Visual and Performing Arts at Harvard
Visual and Performing Arts make up 3% of Harvard’s bachelor’s degrees, including concentrations like Theater, Dance & Media, and Art, Film, and Visual Studies. Students engage with both critical study and hands-on practice under the guidance of faculty who are also accomplished artists.
For instance, Sharon Harper, a Professor of Art, Film, and Visual Studies, creates works exploring human perception and celestial cycles—like her photographic series Moon Studies and Star Scratches, where layers of multiple exposures trace movements of the moon and stars over time. Her pieces are held in collections such as MoMA, the Whitney, and Harvard Art Museums.
This kind of artistic leadership is echoed in the Theater, Dance & Media concentration too, which welcomes instructors from the American Repertory Theater and dance practitioners who bring performance directly into the classroom.
Harvard’s standing in the arts is reflected in top global rankings:
- Ranked #1 worldwide for Arts and Humanities by QS.
- Placed #5 globally for Arts and Humanities by Times Higher Education.
- Holds the #17 position in the world for Performing Arts according to QS.
Graduates enter creative fields, pursue advanced degrees, or apply their artistic skills in industries like marketing, media, and education.
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Harvard
Languages and linguistics account for 3% of Harvard degrees and cover over 45 languages taught on campus, from widely spoken global tongues like Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic to less commonly taught languages such as Yoruba, Sanskrit, and Nahuatl.
Students benefit from small, discussion-based classes, immersive instruction, and frequent cultural events like film screenings, guest lectures, and language tables that encourage informal conversation practice. The program also integrates study-abroad opportunities and field research tailored to each student’s linguistic focus.
Here are some of the program highlights:
- Harvard organizes summer language programs in cities such as Beijing, Madrid, and Siena, where students engage in intensive coursework alongside rich cultural immersion experiences.
- Opportunities to earn a Language Citation for advanced proficiency, signaling mastery beyond basic requirements and often valued by employers and graduate programs.
- By pairing their language studies with disciplines such as history, political science, anthropology, or economics, students gain an interdisciplinary foundation that enhances both their academic depth and career versatility.
- Access to Harvard’s extensive library collections for linguistics and literature, including rare manuscripts, early print editions, and language corpora for research.
Harvard’s reputation for languages is reinforced by its top global standing in Arts and Humanities, along with a #6 world ranking in Linguistics and #3 in Modern Languages according to QS. Graduates often go on to careers in diplomacy, translation, academia, and international business.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What majors is Harvard known for?
Harvard is renowned for its strengths in the social sciences, life sciences, and humanities. Popular concentrations include Economics, Government, Computer Science, and Psychology, all of which attract top faculty and students from around the world. Harvard’s global reputation in areas like Arts and Humanities, Modern Languages, and Law further enhances its academic prestige.
2. What majors does Harvard offer?
Harvard offers over 3,700 courses in 50 undergraduate concentrations across three main divisions: Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, and Sciences, as well as the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Students can pursue established fields like History, Physics, and English, or explore interdisciplinary options such as Environmental Science and Public Policy or Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality.
3. Where can I find a Harvard list of majors?
The full list of Harvard concentrations is available on the university’s official website under the “Programs” section. This resource includes detailed overviews of each program, degree requirements, related secondary fields, and information about joint or special concentrations.
4. What are considered Harvard’s best majors?
Some of Harvard’s most highly regarded majors, based on academic rankings, faculty research, and graduate outcomes, include Economics, Government, Computer Science, Biology, and History. Harvard also ranks among the top in the world for Arts and Humanities, Linguistics, and Modern Languages.
5. Are the most popular majors at Harvard all in the humanities and social sciences?
No. While Harvard’s humanities and social sciences programs are world-class, many of the university’s most popular concentrations are in STEM fields such as Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, and Biology. This mix reflects Harvard’s strong performance across a wide academic spectrum, which allows students to pursue top-ranked programs in both the sciences and the liberal arts.
Takeaways
The most popular majors at Harvard reflect the university’s strength across the social sciences, STEM, and the arts. Here are the key points to remember:
- The most popular majors at Harvard include Economics, Government, Computer Science, and Biology. These programs attract some of the most competitive students in the world and are supported by renowned faculty who are leaders in their fields.
- Harvard consistently ranks among the top programs globally in areas like Economics (#1 in the U.S., #1 worldwide), History (#2 in the U.S., #1 worldwide), and Life Sciences (#1 worldwide, #1 in the U.S. for Biological Sciences).
- Students benefit from opportunities such as joint concentrations, cross-registration with MIT, and study-abroad programs. These options allow you to tailor your academic path and gain experiences that enhance your professional and personal development.
- Access to world-class research facilities and resources helps graduates stand out in competitive fields. From state-of-the-art labs to extensive library collections, Harvard provides the tools needed to excel in both academic and applied settings.
- If you want expert guidance in choosing from the most popular majors at Harvard and preparing a strong application, you can turn to a college admissions consultant. AdmissionSight can help you present your strengths effectively and stand out in a highly competitive admissions process.
