Undergraduate Degrees

Relocating from Texas to attend the Harvard Extension School meant starting over. Being an adult student often means reestablishing a connection between optimism and opportunities, and finding a way to get to where you want to be. For me, the Extension School has served as an intellectual pathway. I have received a world-class education and made lifelong friends.

— Monica Brooker, ALB ’05

Moving to Massachusetts

Thirty percent of our students move to Massachusetts for the undergraduate program.

About Boston and Cambridge

Boston is a vibrant, energetic city with a rich history, eclectic population, and numerous cultural and intellectual outlets. There are nearly 100 colleges and universities in the area, along with renowned museums and theaters, historic homes and parks, and a great transportation system.

Cambridge, home to Harvard University and MIT, is across the Charles River from the city. Along its tree-lined streets and famous squares are independent bookstores, street performers, coffee shops, art galleries, and restaurants dishing up Indian curry, sushi, or good old-fashioned cheeseburgers.

Each New England season offers unique charm: summer outdoor concerts, the Head of the Charles Regatta in the fall, ice skating on the Frog Pond on Boston Common in December, and opening day at Fenway Park in the spring.

Planning ahead

Thousands of college students come to Massachusetts each August to begin undergraduate or graduate studies. Thus, depending on the time of year, moving here can be daunting. It helps to plan ahead. We hope this information will make your transition a little easier.

Location and cost

Most of our students live in Allston, Arlington, Boston, Brighton, Cambridge, Somerville, and Watertown. Average monthly rents in these areas range from $800 to $1,200 for a studio apartment, $1,100 to $1,600 for a 1 bedroom, and $1,200 to $2,000 for a 2 bedroom. Rentals often require payment of first and last month’s rent, as well as a security deposit equal to a month’s rent.

In addition, Massachusetts has a high cost of living. The website www.homefair.com offers a salary calculator that can help you estimate cost of living and provides helpful information about moving.

Finding affordable rent

Rent is lower outside of Boston and Cambridge. Familiarize yourself with the neighborhoods and towns in outlying areas and consider commuting. Boston has an extensive, affordable, and efficient public transportation system. Many students save on rent by living with roommates (see below for helpful links).

Harvard Housing Office

You may browse the Harvard Housing Office’s online listings of apartment, sublet, and roommate opportunities. The office also provides Cambridge maps, public transportation information for Cambridge and surrounding areas, and the Harvard Off-Campus Housing Guide. To visit the office, you need to present proof of current registration (a registration confirmation).

Helpful hints

Housing listings

Harvard Extension School does not endorse any of the following agencies or services; they are provided only to serve as aids in your housing quest.