Residential Life

The Harvard Business School campus was designed with the belief that daily interactions increase the potential for learning.
The Harvard Business School campus was designed with the belief that daily interactions increase the potential for learning.
65%
of MBA students live on campus

The MBA Program at Harvard Business School is a full-time, two-year residential program. Since 1927, residential living has been at the heart of the MBA student experience. The HBS campus is a uniquely beautiful, vibrant, and truly immersive environment. Students live in a tight-knit community that allows them to learn with and from one another—both inside and outside the classroom.

We recognize that every student has a unique set of life circumstances and needs: some are single, some are married, some have children, some cherish their privacy and a larger living space, while others want a stronger sense of camaraderie with their fellow students. The MBA experience is more than attending classes—it's about having a sense of community. That's why students can choose from a range of on- and off-campus housing options to satisfy their needs.

On-Campus Housing

More than 65 percent of HBS students live on campus in dorms or apartments through HBS Housing and Harvard University Housing. For students who enjoy the convenience of being steps away from any campus activity or resource, HBS offers several on-campus options.

HBS Residence Halls

More than one-third of students reside in five on-campus residence halls, managed by HBS Housing. These residence halls, or "dorms," have one- and two-room singles, most of which have private baths. These dorms also feature high-speed Internet access, dry cleaning and laundry facilities, housekeeping services, and a common lounge with a large, flat-panel television and a piano. HBS residence halls are connected to other HBS buildings via the tunnel system. Housing in residence halls is limited to single students (for housing purposes, you are considered a single student if, regardless of your marital status, you will live alone while at HBS). Because of the high demand for residence halls, on-campus housing is assigned through a lottery.

Read the student perspective: The Benefits of Living in a Dorm at HBS.

Harvard University Housing

Students will find a selection of Harvard University Housing (HUH) apartments, including those in Soldiers Field Park and One Western Avenue (both located on the HBS campus) and nearby 10 Akron Street and Peabody Terrace. These apartments are open to all Harvard graduate students and are popular among those with families. Harvard University Housing offers 1-3 bedroom apartments, typically unfurnished, and pet-friendly apartments on a fixed-term lease basis and do not require a security deposit or finder's fee. Rental fees include the cost of utilities at all complexes and Internet in select locations; 24-hour maintenance service is provided.

Students and families living in Harvard University Housing have access to the Graduate Commons Program, a unique interdisciplinary program led by resident Faculty Directors, Community Advisors, and professional staff to provide a “home away from home” for Harvard graduate students, faculty, staff, and their families within HUH. Events include fireside chats with faculty, local outings, wine and coffee hours, yoga classes, game nights, and family-friendly events, among others. The majority of Graduate Commons programs are free and hosted in the building common rooms, providing residents with the opportunity to meet neighbors and other Harvard affiliates outside of their discipline.

Off-Campus Private Housing

To help you in your search, the Other Housing and Rental Options section of the Harvard University Housing website includes self-service, private-market apartment, room, and house rental listings; roommate listings for Harvard affiliates; and short-term sublet and bed and breakfast listings.

Tour the Campus

Designed with the belief that daily interactions increase the potential for learning.

Entrance to Spangler Center, the MBA student center
A faculty member teaching an MBA class in Aldrich Hall.