Harvard University

What Harvard University does

Harvard University, founded in 1636 and chartered in Massachusetts as the President and Fellows of Harvard College, operates 12 degree-granting schools including Harvard Extension School, which has served part-time adult learners since 1910. The Harvard Division of Continuing Education (DCE) is the organizational umbrella for Harvard Extension School, Harvard Summer School, Harvard Professional and Executive Development, and the Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement, and is the primary business unit described in the available data. Harvard Extension School delivers undergraduate (ALB) and graduate (ALM) degrees, graduate and undergraduate certificates, stackable microcertificates, a postbaccalaureate Premedical Program, and individual courses across fields including AI, data science, cybersecurity, management, journalism, psychology, and sustainability. Courses are delivered via the Canvas learning management system with live synchronous online, asynchronous online, and on-campus (Cambridge, MA) formats, supplemented by LabXchange for virtual laboratory work and Zoom for synchronous instruction.

The revenue model is tuition-based with three per-course tiers: $1,560 for noncredit, $2,100 for undergraduate credit, and $3,340 for graduate credit, with pay-as-you-go billing. A freemium layer operates through an edX partnership, where learners can audit courses for free and optionally purchase verified certificates. The go-to-market is a hybrid product-led model combining an open-enrollment individual-course entry point, an 'earn-your-way-in' degree admissions process (requiring a B or above in 2-3 gateway courses), and multi-channel marketing across social media, a content blog, email, and virtual events. The customer base is approximately 13,000 active students across more than 110 countries, segmented primarily into working professionals and part-time adult learners seeking career advancement or transition, with secondary segments in global lifelong learners, career changers, and graduate-school applicants. The technology stack includes Canvas LMS, edX, LabXchange, Zoom, and integrations with ECSI for 1098-T tax forms and Maximus Federal for legacy records, operating under FERPA, SOC 2 Type II (in progress), ISO/IEC 27001, and CSA STAR Level 2 compliance frameworks.

Name

Harvard University

Legal name

President and Fellows of Harvard College

Website

https://extension.harvard.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1910

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Harvard University's Division of Continuing Education, anchored by Harvard Extension School, delivers online and on-campus degrees, certificates, microcertificates, and individual courses to roughly 13,000 working adults and lifelong learners across 110+ countries, monetized via tiered per-course tuition and a freemium edX channel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education / Continuing Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Divisions of Traditional Universities (Hybrid/Extension) (EDAHALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA), Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL), College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways) (EDAAABAK)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Continuing education
• Online learning
• Professional development
• Certificate programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Course Tuition: Tuition-based revenue model with varying rates for noncredit, undergraduate credit, and graduate credit courses. Students pay per course based on credit type.
2. Degree Program Fees: Revenue generated from graduate and undergraduate degree programs, certificates, and microcertificates through tuition payments.
3. Optional Paid Certification: Free audit option available for online courses with optional paid verified certificates through edX partnership.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Harvard Extension School, part of Harvard University's Division of Continuing Education, provides undergraduate and graduate degrees (ALB/ALM), graduate and undergraduate certificates, microcertificates, premedical postbaccalaureate studies, and individual courses for part-time adult learners. Offerings are delivered via online synchronous, online asynchronous, and on-campus formats in fields including AI, data science, cybersecurity, management, journalism, psychology, and sustainability. Harvard Summer School, Harvard Professional & Executive Development, and the Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement round out the portfolio.

Product overview

Harvard University operates multiple educational programs through its Division of Continuing Education (DCE). The primary offering is Harvard Extension School, which provides a comprehensive portfolio of educational products including graduate and undergraduate degree programs (ALM/ALB degrees), graduate certificates, undergraduate certificates, and microcertificates. The DCE also encompasses Harvard Summer School, Harvard Professional & Executive Development, and the Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement. Programs are delivered through flexible formats including online synchronous, online asynchronous, and on-campus options, with offerings spanning fields such as AI, data science, cybersecurity, management, journalism, psychology, sustainability, and more. Students access courses and programs through the MyDCE student portal and can pursue credentials ranging from single courses to complete degrees.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Graduate Degrees (ALM/ALB) Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) and Bachelor of Liberal Arts (ALB) degrees delivered through an earn-your-way-in admissions process for adult learners across multiple disciplines.
• Graduate Certificates Stackable professional graduate certificates for working adults seeking credentials in specialized fields like AI, cybersecurity, international security, and digital storytelling.
• Microcertificates Short-duration, stackable credentials focused on specific skills and competencies that can be applied toward larger certificate or degree programs.
• Undergraduate Certificates Professional certificates at the undergraduate level for adult learners pursuing enrichment or professional goals.
• Premedical Program Postbaccalaureate premedical program preparing students for admission to medical, dental, veterinary, or physician assistant schools.
• Individual Courses Individual courses across arts, sciences, business, technology, and humanities offered with noncredit ($1,560), undergraduate credit ($2,100), and graduate credit ($3,340) options delivered online or on campus.
• Free Online AI and Data Science Courses Free online courses covering AI, data science, and programming delivered through the edX platform with optional paid verified certification; designed for flexible self-paced study.
• Harvard Summer School Academic summer programs for adult learners, college students, and high school students at Harvard and abroad.
• Harvard Professional & Executive Development Short, intensive executive and professional education programs designed to develop skills and strengthen career profiles.
• Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement Peer-learning liberal arts community program for retired and semi-retired professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 13,000+ students from 110+ countries enrolled
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability8 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• edXcoreTechnology or Integration · 7 April 2025Harvard University partners with edX to offer free online courses covering AI, data science, and programming through Harvard's online learning platform. Courses are available globally, can be audited for free with optional paid certification, and run from April 7 to December 31.
• Harvard Innovation LabscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarvard Extension School degree candidates have access to Harvard Innovation Labs (iLab), enabling students to build presentations, access advisory sessions, participate in pitch opportunities and events, and receive support for entrepreneurship ventures. Students have received Spark grants and participated in President's Innovation Challenge.
• Harvard Alumni AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraduates of Harvard Extension School gain access to the Harvard Alumni Association and Harvard Extension School Alumni Association upon completion, providing global alumni network connections.
• NASDAQ Entrepreneurship CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarvard Extension School alumni have been accepted to the NASDAQ Entrepreneurship Center Milestone Makers program, working alongside other social and climate entrepreneurs to build companies.
• Harvard Faculty of Arts and SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMany HES courses share recorded lectures with Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion courses, with shared live sessions allowing DCE and FAS students to attend together.
• Harvard Graduate School of DesignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSome HES courses include students from Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) in companion courses, enabling cross-school collaboration.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Yale Continuing Studies: Yale's continuing education division offers noncredit courses, certificates, and degree-like programs to adult learners globally. Directly comparable to Harvard Extension School as another elite Ivy League extension/continuing education unit with online and hybrid delivery.
• Columbia University School of General Studies: Columbia's School of General Studies serves nontraditional and adult learners pursuing undergraduate degrees, with flexible formats. Closely comparable in mission, audience (working adults), and elite-university affiliation.
• Stanford Continuing Studies: Stanford's continuing studies program offers online and on-campus courses, certificates, and degrees for adult learners. Comparable in offering a top-tier university brand applied to continuing and professional education.
• MIT OpenCourseWare / MIT Professional Education: MIT Professional Education delivers short courses, certificates, and advanced programs for working professionals globally. Comparable in elite STEM-brand positioning, online delivery, and adult professional audience.
• UC Berkeley Extension: Berkeley Extension offers online and on-campus continuing education, certificates, and degree programs for adult learners. Comparable as a major university continuing education division with similar course, certificate, and degree ladders.
• Cornell University Continuing Education: Cornell SCE offers degrees, certificates, and courses to adult learners online and on campus. Comparable as an Ivy-equivalent continuing education division serving working professionals.
• University of Chicago Graham School: UChicago Graham School provides continuing and professional education programs, certificates, and courses to adult learners. Comparable in serving working professionals seeking elite-university credentials via flexible formats.

Broad incumbents

• Coursera: Coursera partners with universities (including Harvard via edX) to deliver online courses, certificates, and degrees. Comparable as a global online learning platform competing for the same adult professional learners; broader incumbent with many university offerings.
• edX (2U): edX is both Harvard's distribution partner and a broader incumbent online learning marketplace hosting courses from many top universities. Directly comparable for the free online course layer that competes with HES's open-enrollment funnel.

Regional players

• Oxford University Department for Continuing Education: Oxford's continuing education department offers part-time degrees, certificates, and short courses, primarily UK/Europe-based. Comparable as a globally prestigious university continuing education division, though focused on a different primary geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HarvardEXT
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/HarvardExtension
• Facebookfacebook.com/HarvardExtension
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/988662
• Instagraminstagram.com/harvardextension

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Harvard University