Natural Sciences at Harvard University

Harvard's Natural Sciences program posts impressive first-year earnings of $69,242—more than double the national median for this degree. That 95th percentile national ranking reflects the institution's brand power and network effects. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing significantly year to year, and the more modest 60th percentile ranking among Massachusetts programs suggests the Harvard premium isn't as pronounced locally, where students have access to other elite institutions.

The debt picture looks reasonable at $23,681, creating a manageable 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio. For a school with Harvard's price tag and reputation for generous financial aid (though only 16% of students receive Pell grants), this debt level indicates solid aid packages for those who attend. The ratio means graduates can reasonably pay off loans while building financial stability.

The catch: only three Massachusetts schools report data for this program, making the state comparison less meaningful, and that tiny sample size is a real limitation. If your child is among the 3% admitted to Harvard, this program appears financially sound based on available data, but understand you're looking at a statistical snapshot that might not hold for their specific cohort. The Harvard degree opens doors, but these particular numbers come with an asterisk.