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 291 reviews)); "great colleagues to work and discuss with" ((in 161 reviews)); "Flexibility and good work/life balance" ((in 96 reviews)); "The hours are flexible and fairly easy" ((in 96 reviews)); "There are many opportunities to collaborate in related fields and attend talks or seminars in entirely different fields that are of interest." ((in 64 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 222 reviews)); "Salaries are low but I believe this to be the case in higher ed more generally." ((in 147 reviews)); "Toxic culture (depending on lab/department)" ((in 47 reviews)); "Toxic managers and workplaces were tolerated if the work got done." ((in 23 reviews)); "Senior management and their leadership" ((in 18 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

4.0

Jan 13, 2010

Pretty good place to work

Technology manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Pretty good place to work if you are looking for a work/life balance. You have your own office space You have 35 h week and 5 week vacations + numerous holidays You can take courses for minimal registration fee You can attend talks, etc

Cons

Slow and very bureaucratic Lots of politics Schools are decentralized, so a lot inefficiencies A lot of people been at Harvard for 10+ years, and develop sense of entitlement, something that makes it harder for newcomers to blend in and for managers to manage

4.0

Jan 10, 2010

headline

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

cosy, comfortable, full of freedom, do whatever you want whenever you want. you feel as if you are your own boss.

Cons

low salary, no retirement benefit, little chance of promotion within the department, not much chances to go to conferences, food choice around here is minimum and only for limited hours.

2.0

Jan 2, 2010

Working for a university

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

A very decent place for an independent] minded, creative types who are looking for day jobs. Benefits are humane and access to library and classes and wonderful.

Cons

Yikes FAS.The mgt has nearly zero business acumen, and are often zombie-like to the vertical, hierarchy/medieval university type power system (which we all know in the 21st century is bunk). Fascinating to observe, painful to experience day by day.

Viewing 4024 - 4026 of 4,072 Reviews

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