“Harvard University’s education and research mission spurs innovation and economic opportunity that serves communities in Massachusetts and around the world. By promoting access to learning, translating research into action, empowering creativity and entrepreneurship, and fostering collaborations, our community contributes in multiple ways to one of the strongest knowledge-based ecosystems in the nation. We are proud partners in helping to drive this region forward.”
Lawrence S. Bacow
Former President of Harvard University
Harvard Students and Employees from Massachusetts
With thousands of students, employees, and alumni from across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Harvard University plays an important role in supporting the region through campus-born research and innovation, financial aid for Massachusetts residents, employment and local spending, and community-serving
programs and partnerships.
County Data in Table Format
| MA County | Employees | Students |
|---|---|---|
| Berkshire, Dukes, Franklin, Hampden, Nantucket | 46 | 118 |
| Barnstable | 66 | 67 |
| Bristol | 191 | 100 |
| Essex | 819 | 326 |
| Hampshire | 28 | 38 |
| Middlesex | 10,271 | 6,064 |
| Norfolk | 2,148 | 1,088 |
| Plymouth | 402 | 165 |
| Suffolk | 3,755 | 2,469 |
| Worcester | 364 | 232 |
|
Note: Employee Data as of September 2022 | Student Population Data for 2021-2022 Academic Year
|
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Supporting Massachusetts Residents Through Employment
Harvard is one of Massachusetts’ largest employers leading a dynamic nonprofit sector that anchors and fuels the regional economy. Employees hail from across the Commonwealth and benefit from competitive pay and industry-leading benefits. To help employees advance in their careers, the University provides leadership and skills training through its Center for Workforce Development and the ability to earn an undergraduate or graduate degree from a Harvard school for a fraction of the cost through tuition assistance programs.
18,718
Massachusetts residents directly employed by Harvard
4TH
Largest employer of Massachusetts residents
$2.5B
Wages, salaries, and benefits paid to Massachusetts residents in FY23
700+
High school students have worked in various office and lab positions across Harvard over the past 5 years
Powering the Regional Economy
The University’s operations and research activities have a critical impact on the local economy, supporting businesses small and large across the Commonwealth. Harvard’s research enterprise fuels an ecosystem that attracts hundreds of millions in funding to the state. This goes to support salaries and wages for Massachusetts residents, purchasing from local businesses, and the advancement of scientific discoveries that contribute to the public good.
Supporting Local Businesses
Harvard Spending in Construction, Supplies, and Services in FY23
$1.45B
Spent in Massachusetts
$885M
Spent in Boston
$121M
Spent in Cambridge
Research Impact
Ecosystem of Innovation
Harvard is at the heart of Massachusetts’ unique ecosystem of innovation. The University’s research enterprise, coupled with its affiliated teaching hospitals and sister institutions, create a powerhouse for attracting funding and generating early stage ideas, driving innovation, discovering cures, and building the regional economy.
5,322
Patents held by Harvard as of July 2023
3,700+
Ventures launched through Harvard Innovation Labs in past decade
160+
Startups launched around Harvard research innovations during the past 5 years
Companies Launched Around Harvard Technologies
Partnering to Address Regional Issues
Whether in collaboration with local nonprofits or government, Harvard is an active partner around some of the region’s most pressing challenges. These partnerships represent another extension of the University’s nonprofit mission and a shared vision of community.
Affordable Housing
To address the housing affordability crisis, Harvard has committed $20 million to help create and preserve affordable housing in greater Boston through a partnership with three nonprofit lending organizations.
7,000+
Units of affordable housing have been created or preserved in the past 20 years in greater Boston through the Harvard Local Housing Collaborative
Expanding Access to Education
Harvard is deeply committed to expanding access to education and eliminating economic obstacles for students attending college.
2022 – 2023 Academic Year
$26.8M
In scholarships awarded to Harvard College students from Massachusetts
1,175
Massachusetts students enrolled in Harvard College
10,425
Students from Massachusetts at Harvard
3,630
Massachusetts residents enrolled in coursework at Harvard Extension School
Spotlights
Harvard Law School Clinical & Pro Bono Programs
One of the largest providers of free legal services in New England, Harvard Law School’s Clinical and Pro Bono Programs serve hundreds of Massachusetts residents across the state on a wide range of legal issues, including housing, immigration, and government benefits.
LabXchange
A free digital learning platform designed to support classroom learning and to bring the scientific process to life, LabXchange helps to expand access to STEM education and promote students’ exploration of STEM careers.
