Yale University
A good fit for high-achieving applicants seeking a top-tier program and students focused on high earning potential. no major red flags in the data. graduates earn a median of $124,400 within 10 years; exceptional 96% graduation rate.
About This School
Yale University is a private nonprofit institution located in New Haven, Connecticut with approximately 6,758 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 4%. The average net price after financial aid is $23,777 per year. The graduation rate is 96%, and the typical graduate earns $124,400 within 10 years of enrollment.
Yale University is a private Ivy League research university in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701, Yale is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, and one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution.
This is a strong option for students seeking elite academic prestige and genuine financial accessibility — with a median debt of just $11,648 at graduation and median earnings of $124,400 a decade out, the return on investment is hard to argue with. The 99% freshman retention and 96% graduation rate signal that students who get in are overwhelmingly satisfied and successful. The honest concern is simply getting here: a 5% acceptance rate means even exceptional applicants should treat this as a reach and plan accordingly.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 8% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
Yale University graduates earn most above the national rate in Computer and Information Sciences, General ($188,157 vs $92,374 nationally).
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | 182 | $142,936 | $82,686 | +$60,250 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 164 | $188,157 | $92,374 | +$95,783 |
| Political Science and Government | 107 | $90,764 | $63,293 | +$27,471 |
| History | 96 | $109,947 | $50,680 | +$59,267 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | 86 | $92,646 | $66,697 | +$25,949 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 72 | $65,752 | $55,695 | +$10,057 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 61 | $62,440 | $48,590 | +$13,850 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 49 | $65,213 | $51,710 | +$13,503 |
| Area Studies | 39 | $67,230 | $56,625 | +$10,605 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 27 | $113,788 | $53,072 | +$60,716 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (6,758 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Schools Like This in Connecticut
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See How Colleges Compare
Yale University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Yale University?
Yale University has an acceptance rate of 4%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Yale University hard to get into?
Yes. With an acceptance rate of 4%, Yale University is highly selective, so strong grades, a rigorous course load, and a standout application matter.
How much does Yale University cost?
The average net price at Yale University is about $23,777 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Yale University?
Yale University has a graduation rate of 96%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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