Head-to-head · 2026
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering vs Harvard University
Compare average net price ($25,171 at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering; $19,066 at Harvard University), ROI score (12.86 vs 13.35), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($129,455 vs $101,817), and admissions selectivity (25.2% acceptance at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering; 3.7% at Harvard University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Franklin W Olin College of Engineering | Harvard University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 12.86 | 13.35 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $25,171 | $19,066 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $100,684 | $76,264 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $66,398 | $61,676 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $66,398 | $61,676 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $129,455 ✓ | $101,817 |
| Acceptance rate | 25.2% | 3.7% |
| Graduation rate | 96.4% | 97.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 98% | 98.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $14,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 377 | 7,601 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1520 | 1553 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Franklin W Olin College of Engineering | Harvard University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | — | $8,697 |
| Family income $30–48k | $3,100 | $2,991 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,528 | $2,091 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,271 | $9,941 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $27,096 ✓ | $53,337 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Franklin W Olin College of Engineering | Harvard University |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 26.4% | 0.1% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 20.8% | 0.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Harvard University reports the lower average net price by $6,105 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $24,420 difference over four years ($76,264 vs $100,684).
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering reports $27,638 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($129,455 vs $101,817). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 98% at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering and 98.3% at Harvard University. Median federal debt among completers is $19,500 vs $14,000, respectively.
2 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering vs Harvard University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Harvard University is cheaper — average net price $19,066 per year vs $25,171 at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering. The annual difference of $6,105 adds up to about $24,420 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $129,455 vs $101,817 at Harvard University. The gap in the federal data is $27,638. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Harvard University is more selective at 3.7% acceptance vs 25.2% at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.