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Yale University

New Haven, CT · Private · Midsize city · Carnegie R1/R2

Private institution in New Haven, CT · 6,811 undergraduates · 5% acceptance rate · $100,533 median earnings 10 years after entry.

Stats

College Scorecard figures, each with where this school sits nationally among institutions that report the same measure. A dash means the school does not report it.

Cost

Average net price
$27,8181,641st cheapest of 1,985 reporting
In-state tuition & fees
$64,7001,998th cheapest of 2,042 reporting
Out-of-state tuition & fees
$64,7001,998th cheapest of 2,042 reporting
Cost of attendance
$85,1201,979th cheapest of 1,985 reporting
Median graduate debt
$12,975225th lowest of 1,880 reporting

Outcomes

Median earnings, 10 years after entry
$100,53336th highest of 1,969 reporting
Median earnings, 6 years after entry
$81,76556th highest of 1,964 reporting
Graduation rate (4-year)
96.3%28th highest of 2,031 reporting
Full-time retention
99.0%58th highest of 1,853 reporting

Admissions

Acceptance rate
4.5%7th most selective of 1,608 reporting
Average SAT
153416th highest of 1,024 reporting
Median ACT
349th highest of 954 reporting

Campus

Undergraduates
6,811380th largest of 2,162 reporting
Student-faculty ratio
6.0:195th smallest of 2,159 reporting
Pell Grant share
19.2%1,765th highest of 2,140 reporting

Nearest large-hub airport: 62 mi (LGA)

On 18 of our 111 lists

Every published ranking this school appears on, with its rank there.

Applying

Common App member
Yes
Application fee
$80
Personal essay
Required
Writing supplement
No

Supplemental prompts (2025-26)

  • All first-year applicants will complete a few Yale-specific short answer questions. These required questions are slightly different based on the application platform an applicant chooses. The 2025-2026 Yale-specific questions for the Coalition Application, Common Application, and QuestBridge Application are detailed below.
  • Short Answer Questions Applicants submitting the Coalition Application, Common Application, or QuestBridge Application will respond to the following short answer questions:
  • Students at Yale have time to explore their academic interests before committing to one or more major fields of study. Many students either modify their original academic direction or change their minds entirely. As of this moment, what academic areas seem to fit your interests or goals most comfortably? Please indicate up to three from the list provided.
  • Tell us about a topic or idea that excites you and is related to one or more academic areas you selected above. Why are you drawn to it? (200 words or fewer)
  • Reflect on how your interests, values, and/or experiences have drawn you to Yale. (125 words or fewer)
  • Applicants submitting the Coalition Application or Common Application will also respond to the following short answer questions, in no more than 200 characters (approximately 35 words):
  • What inspires you?
  • If you could teach any college course, write a book, or create an original piece of art of any kind, what would it be?
  • Other than a family member, who is someone who has had a significant influence on you? What has been the impact of their influence?
  • What is something about you that is not included anywhere else in your application?
  • Essay Applicants submitting the Coalition Application or Common Application will respond to one of the following prompts in 400 words or fewer.
  • 1. Reflect on a time you discussed an issue important to you with someone holding an opposing view. Why did you find the experience meaningful?
  • 2. Reflect on your membership in a community to which you feel connected. Why is this community meaningful to you? You may define community however you like.
  • 3. Reflect on an element of your personal experience that you feel will enrich your college. How has it shaped you?

Source: IvyWise 2025-26 Common App supplements

Deadlines and essay flags come from the Common App Requirements Grid, joined by school name. Always confirm against the school’s own admissions page before applying.

Admitted class profile (Fall 2025 entering class (Class of 2029))

SAT composite (median)
1540
ACT composite (median)
34
Top 10% of high-school class
97%
States represented
50
International
10%
First-generation
18%

Sources: oir.yale.edu, news.yale.edu

Best-paying fields of study

Median earnings one and two years after graduating, by field. Showing 12 of 55 reported programs.

FieldLevel1 yr2 yr
Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralComputer Sciencebachelors$127,397$122,038
EconomicsSocial Sciencesbachelors$90,856$86,621
Cognitive ScienceMultidisciplinary Studiesbachelors$66,889—
Political Science and GovernmentSocial Sciencesbachelors$62,260$48,823
Historybachelors$57,318$47,260
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherMultidisciplinary Studiesbachelors$57,318—
International Relations and National Security StudiesSocial Sciencesbachelors$55,718$52,107
English Language and Literature, GeneralEnglish Language & Literaturebachelors$48,432$47,260
Psychology, GeneralPsychologybachelors$42,682$38,289
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesArea & Ethnic Studiesbachelors$40,017$35,060
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population BiologyBiological Sciencesbachelors$33,990$30,771
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical SciencesBiological Sciencesbachelors$32,236$31,305

Campus facts

Athletics — 19 sports

NCAA Division I-FCS · NCAA Division I

Athletic scholarships allowed · Athletic aid $0 (M $0 · W $0 · Coed $0)

Self-reported EADA participants (2024-2025). Athletic aid is institution-level, not per sport.

Notable alumni

Illustrative alumni only — not exhaustive and not a quality ranking. Affiliation claims cite Wikipedia/Wikidata; confirm on primary bios before relying on them.

Campus news