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

1.0

Jun 19, 2023

Bad management

User support associate

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

None at all for this place.

Cons

Noah Hulbert is the is an incompetent manager who will squeeze his employees and focuses on the wrong metrics. No empathy whatsoever.

3.0

May 8, 2023

A large, beaureucratic institution where you feel invisible

Staff assistant iii

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The pay and benefits are decent though not amazing. Brilliant and talented students, faculty and many staff members.

Cons

Middle management is awful and has to drink the Harvard Koolaide if they want to get a long and move up the ladder. This means they believe Harvard really doesn't have enough money to pay you overtime or hire enough staff. Many departments are always understaffed. Toxic managers and workplaces were tolerated if the work got done. Took a large pay cut to work at a better place that values me and understands I am a human and not a robot.

4.0

Apr 3, 2023

Great Place to Work, But Poor Management

Access services coordinator

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The pay is great. Working with students is wonderful. The benefits are good.

Cons

People who are barely functioning are in management roles and the university is just waiting for them to retire. There's a lot of outdated practices due to the large amount of people who have given up on trying to do their job well.

Viewing 169 - 171 of 4,072 Reviews

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