Yale University: 4.6% Acceptance Rate

4.6%Acceptance

$64,700Tuition

6,811Students

96%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$100,533Earnings

#1 in ConnecticutPrivate nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalResearch UniversityNCAA Division IStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Yale University

Yale shapes future presidents and Supreme Court justices in its Gothic towers overlooking New Haven. Eight U.S. presidents have walked these halls, including both George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, alongside cultural icons like Meryl Streep and journalist Anderson Cooper. The university enrolls 6,811 students in a mid-sized city setting where tradition meets modern research. Only 4.57% of applicants gain admission, with accepted students averaging 1540 on the SAT. The student-faculty ratio of 6:1 ensures intimate classroom discussions that Yale calls "seminars."

Money matters less here than at most top schools. Students pay an average net price of $27,818 after aid, far below the $64,700 sticker price. Graduates earn a median of $100,533 ten years out, making Yale one of the best financial investments in higher education. Only 5.82% of students need federal loans, and those who borrow graduate with just $12,975 in debt.

The residential college system divides students into 14 close-knit communities, each with its own dining hall and traditions. Nearly 99% of students return for sophomore year, the highest retention rate in the country. Yale's 31 varsity teams compete in the Ivy League, where the annual Harvard-Yale football game remains college sports' most storied rivalry.

Academics & Faculty

Yale operates as a top research university where academic excellence comes with strong support. The 6:1 student-faculty ratio ensures close mentorship from strong professors. Yale's legendary liberal arts curriculum produces graduates across every field imaginable. The school's drama program launched careers like Meryl Streep's, while its economics department houses Nobel laureates like Paul Krugman. Students benefit from the residential college system that creates intimate academic communities within the larger university. The 97% four-year graduation rate reflects both rigorous admission standards and full student support. Yale Law School and Yale School of Medicine rank among the nation's most strong professional programs.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 6:1
Full-Time Faculty: 73.6%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 97.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 96.3%
Retention Rate: 99.0%
Median Earnings (10 years): $100,533
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral University (R1)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Master	$147,858
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Doctoral	$132,866
Law.	Doctoral	$132,032
Computer and Information Sciences, General.	Bachelor	$122,038
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Master	$111,017
Public Health.	Doctoral	$100,414
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Master	$98,213
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Master	$95,473
Economics.	Bachelor	$86,621
International Relations and National Security Studies.	Master	$74,576

View all 190 programs →

Campus Life

Yale's Gothic Revival architecture creates a campus that feels like Hogwarts dropped into a gritty New England city. With housing capacity for 5,576 students and total enrollment of 6,811, nearly everyone lives on campus in the famous residential college system. New Haven sits 90 minutes from New York City by train, close enough for weekend trips but far enough to keep students grounded on campus.

The 6:1 student-faculty ratio means small seminars happen in centuries-old buildings where you'll definitely need that winter coat from December through March. Students split between the library stacks and Mory's, the legendary private club where Whiffenpoofs rehearse. With 31 varsity sports and 952 total athletes, many weekends revolve around cheering the Bulldogs at the Yale Bowl or rowing on the Housatonic River. The residential college system creates built-in communities where freshmen eat dinner with seniors and Nobel laureates drop by for tea. Harvard-Yale weekend transforms the entire campus into a crimson and blue battlefield that dates back to 1875.

Setting: City-Midsize
Housing Capacity: 5,576 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1701

Campus Safety (2023)

628 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Motor Vehicle Theft	53	11	56	60
Rape	53	52	2	1
Dating Violence	48	46	6	6
Stalking	40	16	1	3
Burglary	23	21	6	0
Aggravated Assault	15	10	6	14
Fondling	16	7	9	5
Domestic Violence	4	1	12	3
Robbery	1	0	1	17
Arson	1	0	0	1
Murder	0	0	0	1

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 23°–38°F
July Avg: 65°–82°F
Annual Precipitation: 41.8"
Annual Snowfall: 33.6"

Student Demographics

Yale draws ambitious students from across the nation, with over 90% coming from out-of-state. The student body reflects the university's commitment to diversity and access, with students of color comprising nearly half the enrollment. About one in five students receives Pell Grants, showing Yale's efforts to recruit talented students regardless of family income. The roughly even gender split mirrors the university's strength across liberal arts, sciences, and professional programs. These students typically scored above 1500 on the SAT and represent the academic top seeking Yale's strong degree and extensive alumni network.

Men: 48.2%
Women: 51.8%
White: 32.4%
Black: 8.8%
Hispanic: 15.7%
Asian: 22.8%
In-State Students: 6.9%
Pell Grant Recipients: 19.2%

Location

Yale University sits in New Haven, Connecticut, about 80 miles northeast of New York City. The mid-sized city of roughly 135,000 residents revolves around the university's Gothic Revival campus. New Haven's downtown features a mix of college hangouts, art galleries, and the well-known Scenterert Theater. The city struggles with typical urban challenges, but Yale's $42 billion endowment helps fund community partnerships. Only 6.88% of students come from Connecticut, drawing most from across the nation to this historic New England setting. The campus blends seamlessly with city blocks, creating an urban college experience distinct from rural campuses. Students considering colleges in Connecticut may also compare Yale with similar schools in the region.

Address: New Haven, Connecticut 06520

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $100,533
Median Earnings (5 years): $93,562
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $67,800
Loan Repayment Rate: 86.1%
Monthly Loan Payment: $138/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $12,975

Frequently Asked Questions

Yale University acceptance rate and admissions requirements

Yale accepts just 4.57% of applicants, making it one of the most selective universities in America. Admitted students typically score between 1500-1580 on the SAT with an average of 1540. The university's legendary admissions process has shaped the paths of eight future U.S. presidents.

Yale University tuition cost and financial aid

Yale charges $64,700 in tuition annually, but the average net price students actually pay is $27,818 after financial aid. Families earning under $75,000 typically pay around $20,000 or less thanks to Yale's generous need-based aid program. Only 19.16% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the university's historically wealthy student body.

Yale University student faculty ratio and class sizes

Yale maintains a 6:1 student-faculty ratio across its 6,811 undergraduate students. This intimate academic environment supports the university's residential college system, where students live and learn in close-knit communities. The retention rate of 98.97% reflects how well students adapt to Yale's rigorous but supportive academic culture.

Yale University graduate salary and career outcomes

Yale graduates earn a median salary of $100,533 ten years after graduation, well above national averages for college graduates. The employment rate stands at 92.4% with relatively low debt burdens averaging just $12,975. Yale's extensive alumni network, spanning from Wall Street to Hollywood, opens doors that few other universities can match.

Yale University campus life and student body

Yale's New Haven campus houses 5,576 students in its iconic Gothic Revival dormitories and residential colleges. The student body is 51.77% female and diverse, with 32.39% white students and strong representation from Asian American (22.83%) and Hispanic (15.71%) communities. Only 6.88% of students come from Connecticut, drawing talent from across the globe to this historic Ivy League institution.

Yale University Bulldogs athletics and sports programs

Yale fields 31 varsity sports teams competing in NCAA Division I as part of the Ivy League conference. The Bulldogs involve 952 student-athletes who compete without athletic scholarships, maintaining the Ivy League's emphasis on academic merit over athletic recruiting. Yale's rivalry with Harvard in football dates back to 1875, making it one of college sports' oldest and most storied competitions.