For the second year in a row, the proportion of Black and Hispanic students in Harvard College’s freshman class has declined. This trend, as reported by The Harvard Crimson, reflects the ongoing adjustments universities across the United States are making in the wake of the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision to prohibit the consideration of race in college admissions.
Significant Shifts in Enrollment Following Affirmative Action Ruling
The Class of 2029 includes 11 percent Hispanic students, a decrease from 16 percent in the previous year. Black student enrollment also dropped to 11.5 percent, a decline of approximately 2.5 percentage points. The Crimson noted that this year’s decrease for Black students was less pronounced than the 4 percentage point fall observed the year prior.
Conversely, Asian American enrollment saw an increase, rising from 37 percent to 41 percent. Eight percent of students chose not to disclose their race. Harvard did not disclose the percentages of students who identified as white or with multiple racial backgrounds.
These demographic changes are particularly significant as they mark the second year since the Supreme Court’s landmark 2023 ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which effectively ended race-conscious admissions. Consequently, the ethnic and racial makeup of Harvard’s incoming classes has become a focal point of discussion.
Reports from The Crimson indicate that other prestigious institutions, including Yale and Princeton, have also experienced similar reductions in the enrollment of underrepresented minority students. Notably, Princeton recorded its lowest proportion of Black freshmen since 1968 this year.
Fewer Applications Lead to a Higher Acceptance Rate
Harvard’s acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 increased to 4.18 percent, up from 3.65 percent in the previous cycle. This rise is attributed to a decrease in applications, which fell from 54,008 for the Class of 2028 to 47,893 for the Class of 2029.
This admission cycle also marked the first time since the pandemic that Harvard reinstated its requirement for applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores, ending a five-year test-optional policy. The Crimson suggests that the reintroduction of standardized testing might have deterred some prospective students from applying.
Out of 2,003 admitted students, 1,675 ultimately enrolled, resulting in a yield rate of 83.6 percent. This marks the fifth consecutive year that Harvard’s yield rate has remained above 83 percent.
International Students and Navigating Political Tensions
International students constitute 15 percent of the Class of 2029, a slight dip from 18 percent in the prior year. The Crimson highlighted that this reduction occurred during a period of heightened tension between Harvard and the Trump administration concerning visa and certification matters.
In May, the administration moved to revoke Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, a measure that would have prevented international students from enrolling. However, federal judges intervened with temporary orders, allowing students to commence the academic year as planned.
In response, Harvard extended its waitlist admissions beyond the typical June 30 deadline. It also allowed international students to accept offers from other global universities while preserving their admission to Harvard. According to The Crimson, 75 students were admitted from the waitlist this year, an increase from 41 last year.
Expanded Financial Aid and Accessibility
The Class of 2029 is the first cohort admitted under Harvard’s enhanced financial aid program. Under this initiative, students from families earning less than $200,000 annually are eligible for free tuition. Approximately 45 percent of the incoming class will attend tuition-free, with over half of these students also receiving full financial support for housing and meals.
Roughly 20 percent of the class are first-generation college students, and 21 percent are anticipated to qualify for federal Pell Grants, as noted by The Crimson.
Hopi E. Hoekstra, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, stated that the expanded financial aid program underscores Harvard’s ongoing commitment to ensuring college remains affordable for students from diverse economic backgrounds.
The Broader Context of Admissions Data
The Harvard Crimson pointed out that this year, the university delayed the release of its demographic data until the fall for the first time. Harvard now calculates racial proportions exclusively based on students who opt to report their race, which makes direct year-over-year comparisons more challenging.
Despite these adjustments in reporting and methodology, the data clearly illustrates a continuous shift in student demographics since the end of affirmative action. Harvard’s admissions leaders anticipate further changes in future cycles as students, families, and educational institutions continue to adapt to the new admissions landscape.
Dean of Admissions William R. Fitzsimmons commented that the incoming class represents a generation embarking on their college journey during a time of significant transformation within higher education.