Is Harvard University a good company to work for?

Harvard University has an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5, based on over 4,620 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months. 85% of employees would recommend working at Harvard University to a friend and 68% 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 2% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Harvard University?

85% 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, 4.0 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 281 reviews)); "great colleagues to work and discuss with" ((in 153 reviews)); "Flexibility and good work/life balance" ((in 97 reviews)); "The hours are flexible and fairly easy" ((in 89 reviews)); "Great opportunity to get research experience in your CV." ((in 61 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 211 reviews)); "Salaries are low but I believe this to be the case in higher ed more generally." ((in 151 reviews)); "Toxic culture (depending on lab/department)" ((in 45 reviews)); "Toxic managers and workplaces were tolerated if the work got done." ((in 25 reviews)); "Senior management and their leadership" ((in 19 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

85% would recommend to a friend

(4,072 total reviews)

Alan Garber

83% approve of CEO

68% 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

2.0

Apr 14, 2010

Talk is cheap - don't get too excited

Information technology professional

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

big brand name on your resume. good place for starters. Can grow if you are good talker get your degree/education for next move in your career

Cons

no thought leadership - positions changes on daily basis no empowerment for even small day to day things lack of honest and open communication and information sharing (vertical) not all courses/classes available to employees.

4.0

Apr 13, 2010

Excellent place for training but poor work-life balance.

Postdoctoral fellow

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

A lot of good scientists in local community. Best place for biomedical research. There are competitions too, but people working on different areas like to collaborate. A lot of biotech companies around and therefore many opportunities to land a job in town.

Cons

High living cost, especially housing. Hard to get promotion within Harvard Medical School. Winter is cold but not so bad and is getting better. People work hard. Daycare is very costly.

5.0

Apr 5, 2010

Great stepping stone from college to graduate education!

Research associate

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

I absolutely love my job. I have amazing flexibility (working from home is permitted), I feel trusted and respected by those I work for and with, the work I do is stimulating and non-repetitive, and I have met several great friends and many great contacts at the school itself!

Cons

The work can be somewhat solitary, and if you aren't good at managing your time you may fall behind.

Viewing 4006 - 4008 of 4,072 Reviews

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Jobs at Harvard University

Service Desk Assistant