Fact Check: Foreign students make up a quarter of Harvard's enrollment.

Fact Check: "Foreign students make up a quarter of Harvard's enrollment."

What We Know

The claim that foreign students constitute a quarter of Harvard's enrollment is supported by various data sources. According to the Harvard International Office, international students represent a significant portion of the student body. Specifically, during the 2024-2025 academic year, international students accounted for approximately 27.2% of total enrollment, which aligns closely with the claim of one-quarter enrollment. Additionally, a report from NPR indicates that Harvard relies heavily on international students, with numbers exceeding 7,000 in recent years.

However, the exact percentage can fluctuate annually based on admissions and enrollment trends. For instance, historical data from the Harvard International Office shows that international student enrollment has hovered around 19.6% to 27.2% in recent years.

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim comes from credible institutional sources, including Harvard's own admissions statistics and reports from the Harvard International Office. These sources provide a reliable basis for understanding the demographics of the student body. The Admissions Statistics page on Harvard's website outlines the breakdown of enrolled students, including international students, and is regularly updated to reflect current data.

However, it is important to note that the claim's accuracy can depend on the specific academic year referenced. For example, while the 2024-2025 academic year shows a percentage of 27.2%, earlier years reported lower percentages, such as 19.6% in 2006-2007 (Harvard International Office). This variability suggests that while the claim may hold true for certain years, it may not apply universally across all academic years.

Furthermore, external sources like Reuters and The New York Times corroborate the high percentage of international students, indicating a consistent trend in recent years. These reports highlight the reliance of Harvard on international students, which strengthens the claim's credibility.

Conclusion

Needs Research: While the claim that foreign students make up a quarter of Harvard's enrollment is supported by credible data, the percentage can vary by academic year. The most recent data indicates that international students comprise approximately 27.2% of the student body for the 2024-2025 academic year. However, historical fluctuations necessitate further research to determine the consistency of this statistic over time and across different academic years.

Sources

1. Admissions Statistics | Harvard
2. Worldwide Data | Harvard Worldwide - Harvard University
3. Statistics | Harvard International Office
4. International Students at Harvard
5. Trump administration blocks Harvard from enrolling foreign students ...
6. By the numbers: A look at international students at Harvard ...
7. These Are the U.S. Universities Most Dependent on International Students
8. How many foreign students are at U.S. colleges?