Is Harvard University a good company to work for?

Harvard University has an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5, based on over 4,619 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 (230) , 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 284 reviews)); "great colleagues to work and discuss with" ((in 150 reviews)); "The hours are flexible and fairly easy" ((in 94 reviews)); "Flexibility and good work/life balance" ((in 93 reviews)); "Great opportunity to advance career." ((in 70 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 223 reviews)); "Salaries are low but I believe this to be the case in higher ed more generally." ((in 148 reviews)); "Toxic managers and workplaces were tolerated if the work got done." ((in 24 reviews)); "Senior management and their leadership" ((in 21 reviews)); "Low pay and long hours" ((in 17 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

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Harvard University

Harvard University reviews

4.2

85% would recommend to a friend

(4,071 total reviews)

Alan Garber

83% approve of CEO

68% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

4.2

Diversity & inclusion

4.0

Culture & values

4.0

Work/Life balance

4.0

Career opportunities

3.8

Compensation and benefits

3.7

Senior management

Harvard University has an employee rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, based on 4,071 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).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

4K reviews

2.0

Aug 13, 2008

If work-life is your priority, Harvard is great. If you want to live above poverty, it is not.

Program coordinator

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

For a healthy work-life balance, Harvard is the place. Harvard offers terrific benefits and opportunities to study to its employees. Flex time and near free gym membership are other perks.

Cons

The hulking bureaucracy slows everything down. Career employees are unmotivated. Salary is low. There is not a well developed incentive structure.

3.0

Jun 23, 2008

Harvard is no different!

Individual contributor

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Harvard has excellent benefits and salary which is most likely the main reason that employees remain at Harvard.

Cons

While Harvard promotes itself as one of the "best places to work," be mindful that once you get your foot in the door, it is a political, bureaucratic machine that, at best, moves at a snail's pace to move ideas forward.

4.0

Jun 16, 2008

Harvard: come here for the benefits, stay for the benefits.

Software engineer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The generous and liberal benefits. Good health care (with many extras added to the plans). Generous time off that you even get to take (sometimes). Heavily subsidized T-pass. Free bus between campuses (great if you live in Boston, work in Cambridge or vice versa). Theoretical 35 hour work week for non-exempt employees. Some folks actually have it, others not even close. Some very smart folks to work with. Some really exciting projects and challenges. The name means a lot on your CV or resume.

Cons

The benefits have a cost and that cost is salary. Harvard is generally just not that competitive (to similar positions in the area). They are trying to make up some ground through bonuses / reviews, but the disparity remains very, very large at times. If you need to drive to either campus (Cambridge or Boston), parking is expensive and there is usually a waiting list for a permit. Don't expect a spot as soon as you sign on, unless you're a big wig. They don't seem to have the same trouble the rest of us do ...

Viewing 139 - 141 of 4,071 Reviews

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If work-life is your priority, Harvard is great. If you want to live above poverty, it is not.

Harvard is no different!

Harvard: come here for the benefits, stay for the benefits.

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