Cedar Crest College vs Harvard

Cedar Crest College and Harvard University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, stand at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of size, selectivity, and academic offerings. Cedar Crest, a private liberal arts college nestled in Allentown, Pennsylvania, offers a close-knit community and personalized attention to its students. In contrast, Harvard, an Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, boasts a world-renowned reputation for academic excellence and cutting-edge research. While both institutions provide a high-quality education, their distinct characteristics cater to different student needs and aspirations. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into the specifics of acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, helping you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
Cedar Crest College logo

Cedar Crest College

Harvard University logo

Harvard University

Overview

Location Allentown, Pennsylvania Cambridge, Massachusetts
Campus setting City: Midsize City: Midsize
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 75.0% 96.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 68.8% 4.0%
Application fees $50
Undergraduate: $75

Graduate: $105
SAT range 1020 - 1210 1480 - 1580
ACT range 20 - 29 33 - 36
Students submitting SAT score 33.0% 54.0%
Students submitting ACT score 4.0% 31.0%
Total number of applicants 1,233 57,786
Total number of admissions given out 848 2,318
Admitted students who chose to enroll 168 1,951
Yield rate 19.8% 84.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Not required
Recommendation letters Required Required
High school transcript Required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Not required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $58,610 $78,028
Average net price $23,501 $13,910
Tuition $41,991 $51,143
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $5,750

Meal plan: $6,769
Room/dormitory: $11,705

Meal plan: $7,236
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Prepaid tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

99.0%
Average amount $30,039
56.0%
Average amount $59,840
Students receiving federal student loan 84.0%
Average amount $5,564
3.0%
Average amount $5,180
Students taking out private loans 22.0%
Average amount $13,506
2.0%
Average amount $8,080

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 1,053
Men 6.2% Women 93.8%
9,579
Men 49.0% Women 51.0%
Graduate students 387
Men 14.2% Women 85.8%
21,766
Men 46.3% Women 53.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Moderate
Out-of-state students 27.4% N/A
International students 3.3% 23.9%
Campus local/setting City: Midsize City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity 552 12,874
First year students are required to live on campus? No Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Pennsylvania New Jersey Maryland Delaware New York New York California Texas Illinois New Jersey

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Family and Consumer Sciences
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Social Sciences
  • Education
  • Legal Profession
Students to faculty ratio 9:1 7:1
Institutional accreditation Middle States Commission on Higher Education New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome

Graduation rate 63.7% 96.7%
Dropout rate 22.4% 2.0%
Transferred out 13.4% N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,377
  • Year 2: $64,406
  • Year 3: $65,730
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $46,752
  • Year 2: $46,869
  • Year 3: $50,703
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
  • Year 1: $49,958
  • Year 2: $45,696
  • Year 3: $49,457
Social Work (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $33,565
  • Year 3: $40,802
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $28,443
  • Year 3: $28,616
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $32,925
  • Year 3: N/A
Criminology (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $33,993
  • Year 3: N/A
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $29,141
  • Year 3: N/A
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $44,021
  • Year 3: N/A
Statistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $78,193
  • Year 2: $128,716
  • Year 3: $240,408
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $184,307
  • Year 2: $165,340
  • Year 3: $199,043
Business Administration, Management and Operations (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $171,333
  • Year 2: $171,907
  • Year 3: $187,553
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $140,072
  • Year 2: $128,737
  • Year 3: $163,896
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
  • Year 1: $151,371
  • Year 2: $174,023
  • Year 3: $163,512
Public Health (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $123,508
  • Year 2: $117,916
  • Year 3: $129,281
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $106,421
  • Year 3: $121,832
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $102,707
  • Year 2: $90,856
  • Year 3: $121,771
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $97,905
  • Year 2: $98,670
  • Year 3: $107,389
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $68,745
  • Year 2: $71,486
  • Year 3: $106,375

Frequently Asked Questions


  • What is the primary difference in academic focus between Cedar Crest College and Harvard University?

    Cedar Crest College emphasizes a strong liberal arts education with a focus on women's leadership and career preparation, often with a more personalized learning environment. Harvard University, on the other hand, offers a broader range of academic disciplines and is renowned for its research-intensive environment, attracting top scholars and researchers globally.

  • How does the student body composition differ at Cedar Crest College and Harvard University?

    Cedar Crest College is a women's college, fostering a supportive environment for female students. Harvard University has a co-educational student body, drawing students from diverse backgrounds worldwide. The student-to-faculty ratio is also typically lower at Cedar Crest, allowing for more individualized attention.

  • What are the key differences in campus culture and environment?

    Cedar Crest College offers a close-knit community with a focus on leadership development and a supportive atmosphere. Harvard University provides a more competitive and academically rigorous environment, with a vast array of extracurricular activities and a strong emphasis on tradition and prestige. Harvard's campus is also significantly larger and more integrated into a major city (Cambridge, MA).

  • How do the admission requirements and selectivity compare?

    Harvard University is exceptionally selective, with extremely competitive admission requirements, including high standardized test scores and outstanding academic records. Cedar Crest College has a more accessible admissions process, though it still seeks academically qualified students. The acceptance rates reflect this difference in selectivity.

  • What are the typical costs associated with attending each institution?

    The cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is generally higher at Harvard University due to its resources and prestige. While Cedar Crest College is also a private institution, its overall cost of attendance is typically lower, and financial aid opportunities are available at both institutions to help offset costs.

  • What career opportunities are typically available to graduates of each institution?

    Harvard University graduates have access to a vast network of alumni and are highly sought after by employers across various industries, often securing positions in top-tier companies and organizations globally. Cedar Crest College graduates are well-prepared for careers, particularly in fields related to healthcare, education, and leadership, and benefit from a strong alumni network focused on supporting women's professional advancement.

  • How do the research opportunities compare at Cedar Crest College and Harvard University?

    Harvard University is a world leader in research, offering extensive opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in cutting-edge research projects across all disciplines. Cedar Crest College provides research opportunities, though they are typically more focused on undergraduate research and may be less extensive than those available at Harvard.

  • What is the size of the student body at each institution?

    Harvard University has a significantly larger student body, encompassing both undergraduate and graduate students, numbering in the thousands. Cedar Crest College has a smaller student body, providing a more intimate learning environment.

  • Are there any specific programs or areas of study where one institution excels over the other?

    Harvard University excels in nearly all academic areas, particularly in law, medicine, business, and the sciences. Cedar Crest College is particularly strong in programs focused on women's leadership, healthcare, and education, providing a supportive environment for women to excel in these fields.

  • How does the location of each college impact the student experience?

    Harvard University's location in Cambridge, Massachusetts, offers students access to a vibrant urban environment with numerous cultural and professional opportunities. Cedar Crest College, located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, provides a more suburban setting with a focus on community and a less overwhelming environment.

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