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

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

Mar 11, 2012

Great Community, Simple Work

Office assistant

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The most fun I've ever had at a workplace. The office staff are extremely nice and always have fun stories to share. They are efficient and productive, but understand how to have a god time while being so!

Cons

Sometimes tasks are tedious (or even unnecessary) due to administrators lacking technical knowledge.

4.0

Mar 11, 2012

Great place to do PhD Research

Graduate research assistant

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Expert faculty and tremendous resources. Entrepreneurial environment with respect to commercializing research as well as managing one's own project.

Cons

Sometimes a lack of guidance can be a problem. Must be a self-starter and able to think creatively.

3.0

Mar 8, 2012

Dysfunctional office management at Harvard

Executive assistant

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The benefits are excellent. Many of the people are nice. You have the opportunity to work with some very intelligent and accomplished people.

Cons

There is a great deal of in-fighting and jockeying for position. The standards are inconsistent, promotions are subjective, and not necessarily based on merit.

Viewing 3901 - 3903 of 4,072 Reviews

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