Is Harvard University a good company to work for?

Harvard University has an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5, based on over 4,621 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months. 83% of employees would recommend working at Harvard University to a friend and 69% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about Harvard University have been left by employees working as Undergraduate Course Assistant , Course Assistant and Intern .

Does Harvard University pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Harvard University employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.8 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Harvard University. This rating has decreased by 3% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Harvard University?

83% of Harvard University employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Harvard University 4.0 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.9 for culture and values and 4.0 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Harvard University?

Research Assistant (271) , Postdoctoral Fellow (231) , PhD Student (100) , Graduate Student (93) , Research Associate (86) , Teaching Fellow (67) , Teaching Assistant (63) , Graduate Research Assistant (60) , PhD Graduate Student (50) , Staff Assistant (50) , Program Coordinator (43) , Research Fellow (43) , Researcher (41) , Director (35) , Intern (34)

What are the pros of working at Harvard University according to real employee reviews?

"Nice to work with and the people are great." ((in 292 reviews)); "great colleagues to work and discuss with" ((in 155 reviews)); "Flexibility and good work/life balance" ((in 93 reviews)); "The hours are flexible and fairly easy" ((in 87 reviews)); "Great opportunity to advance career." ((in 62 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Harvard University according to real employee reviews?

"Pay is low for the cost of living but worth it if you make the most of it." ((in 207 reviews)); "Salaries are low but I believe this to be the case in higher ed more generally." ((in 154 reviews)); "Toxic culture (depending on lab/department)" ((in 46 reviews)); "Toxic managers and workplaces were tolerated if the work got done." ((in 22 reviews)); "Low compensation (although most higher ed is)" ((in 21 reviews))

What are employees saying about Harvard University layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Harvard University layoffs and their outlook for job security at Harvard University in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Harvard University locations?

Cambridge , Boston , New York , Harvard , Allston , Washington , Harvard , San Antonio , Los Angeles , San Francisco , Cambridge , Somerville , Houston , Denver , Miami , Brockton , Brookline , Jamaica Plain , Malden , Atlanta , Jersey City , Ohio , Boston , Brooklyn , Madison , Orono , Lander , Austin , Frisco , Lubbock

Harvard University reviews

4.2

83% would recommend to a friend

(4,072 total reviews)

Alan Garber

80% approve of CEO

69% positive business outlook

Company ratings over time

Ratings trend for the last 6 months (4,072 reviews)

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Harvard University has an employee rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, based on 4,072 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an excellent working experience there. The Harvard University employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Education industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

4K reviews

5.0

Apr 5, 2012

Full of from intellectual community..

Research fellow

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Scientific environment to work. Cutting edge research Wonderful community of peers and private investigators International reputation Limitless supply of researchers and collaborators that make research a lot easier to perform

Cons

An overall cut-throat environment with high expectations and even higher levels of competition. A poorly defined path for promotion Poorly defined mentoring program for junior faculty. A poorly defined path for promotion Poorly defined mentoring program for junior faculty.

3.0

Apr 5, 2012

Not your father's Harvard any more

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Excellence still abounds for faculty and students . Once you're in, it's very supportive. Not all white rich kids (although some); genuinely diverse with lots of meaningful financial aid.

Cons

Staff becoming depersonalized and encouraged to be robotic and quiet. University losing its personality and character. Institution purposefully moving away from sense of family in workforce. Now measuring "productivity" in all areas vs value.

4.0

Mar 26, 2012

Great place to do cutting edge research, O.K. place to work.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Cutting edge research Wonderful community of peers and private investigators International reputation Limitless supply of researchers and collaborators that make research a lot easier to perform

Cons

An overall cut-throat environment with high expectations and even higher levels of competition. A poorly defined path for promotion Poorly defined mentoring program for junior faculty.

Viewing 3895 - 3897 of 4,072 Reviews

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