Grove City College vs Harvard

In the realm of higher education, Grove City College and Harvard University stand as two distinct beacons of academic excellence, each offering a unique educational experience. While both institutions share a commitment to providing students with a rigorous and transformative education, they differ significantly in terms of acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. This side-by-side comparison delves into these key differences, providing prospective students with valuable insights to help them make informed decisions about their academic journey. Whether you're drawn to the intimate, faith-based community of Grove City College or the world-renowned reputation and Ivy League prestige of Harvard University, this comprehensive analysis will guide you towards the institution that best aligns with your aspirations and goals.
Grove City College logo

Grove City College

Harvard University logo

Harvard University

Overview

Location Grove City, Pennsylvania Cambridge, Massachusetts
Campus setting Town: Distant 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 89.0% 96.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation Undenominational

Admission

Acceptance rate 72.6% 4.0%
Application fees $50
Undergraduate: $75

Graduate: $105
SAT range 1130 - 1382 1480 - 1580
ACT range 23 - 30 33 - 36
Students submitting SAT score 49.0% 54.0%
Students submitting ACT score 22.0% 31.0%
Total number of applicants 2,082 57,786
Total number of admissions given out 1,511 2,318
Admitted students who chose to enroll 618 1,951
Yield rate 40.9% 84.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Not required
Recommendation letters Required Required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Not required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $31,840 $78,028
Average net price $21,846 $13,910
Tuition $19,310 $51,143
Room & board $10,680
Room/dormitory: $11,705

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

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

67.0%
Average amount $8,807
56.0%
Average amount $59,840
Students receiving federal student loan 0.0%
Average amount $0
3.0%
Average amount $5,180
Students taking out private loans 30.0%
Average amount $14,341
2.0%
Average amount $8,080

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 2,306
Men 51.6% Women 48.4%
9,579
Men 49.0% Women 51.0%
Graduate students 11
Men 63.6% Women 36.4%
21,766
Men 46.3% Women 53.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Very Low
Moderate
Out-of-state students 51.2% N/A
International students 1.0% 23.9%
Campus local/setting Town: Distant City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity 2,249 12,874
First year students are required to live on campus? No Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Pennsylvania Ohio New York Virginia Michigan New York California Texas Illinois New Jersey

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Business
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • English Language and Literature
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Social Sciences
  • Education
  • Legal Profession
Students to faculty ratio 13:1 7:1
Institutional accreditation Middle States Commission on Higher Education New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome

Graduation rate 87.5% 96.7%
Dropout rate 6.1% 2.0%
Transferred out 6.2% N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) 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 are the primary differences in mission and values between Grove City College and Harvard University?

    Grove City College is a private, Christian liberal arts college emphasizing faith, freedom, and a rigorous academic curriculum rooted in Judeo-Christian values. Harvard University, a private Ivy League research university, focuses on academic excellence, intellectual exploration, and preparing leaders across various fields, with a secular and global perspective.

  • How do the academic programs and areas of study differ between the two institutions?

    Grove City College offers a focused range of undergraduate programs primarily in liberal arts, engineering, and business. Harvard University provides a much broader spectrum of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across diverse disciplines, including medicine, law, business, and the arts and sciences.

  • What is the difference in campus culture and student life at Grove City College versus Harvard University?

    Grove City College fosters a close-knit, faith-based community with a strong emphasis on traditional values and student involvement in campus activities. Harvard University offers a more diverse and cosmopolitan environment with a wide array of extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations catering to a global student body.

  • How do the costs of attending Grove City College and Harvard University compare?

    Grove City College generally has a significantly lower tuition cost compared to Harvard University. While Harvard offers substantial financial aid packages to eligible students, the overall cost of attendance, including living expenses, is typically higher than at Grove City College. It's important to review the most current tuition and fees information on each school's website.

  • What are the differences in admission requirements and selectivity between the two schools?

    Harvard University is highly selective, with a very low acceptance rate, requiring exceptional academic records, standardized test scores, and compelling extracurricular involvement. Grove City College is also selective, but generally has a higher acceptance rate than Harvard. While strong academics are essential, Grove City also considers a student's character and commitment to its values.

  • How do the student demographics differ between Grove City College and Harvard University?

    Grove City College primarily draws students from the United States, with a focus on students who align with its Christian values. Harvard University attracts a highly diverse student body from around the world, representing a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives.

  • What are the differences in career services and alumni networks offered by each institution?

    Both institutions offer career services to assist students with internships and job placement. Harvard University boasts a vast and influential alumni network spanning various industries and sectors globally. Grove City College has a strong and supportive alumni network, particularly within the fields of engineering, business, and education, primarily in the United States.

  • How do the faculty and research opportunities compare between Grove City College and Harvard University?

    Harvard University is a leading research institution with world-renowned faculty and extensive research opportunities across numerous disciplines. Grove City College focuses primarily on undergraduate education, with faculty dedicated to teaching and mentoring students. While research opportunities exist, they are generally more limited in scope compared to Harvard.

  • What is the typical class size and student-to-faculty ratio at each institution?

    Grove City College generally has smaller class sizes and a lower student-to-faculty ratio, allowing for more personalized attention from professors. Harvard University may have larger introductory courses, but also offers smaller, more specialized classes as students progress in their studies. The student-to-faculty ratio is also relatively low at Harvard, though potentially higher than Grove City.

  • What are the similarities between Grove City College and Harvard University?

    Despite their differences, both Grove City College and Harvard University are committed to providing a high-quality education and fostering intellectual growth. Both institutions value academic rigor, critical thinking, and preparing students for successful careers and lives of purpose. They both also offer a range of extracurricular activities and opportunities for student involvement.

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