Yale University

Private

New Haven, CT

Yale University, in New Haven, CT, is a private mid-sized school, enrolling around 6,758 students. Admissions are highly selective here -- roughly 4% of applicants get in. Its highest-earning reported major is Computer and Information Sciences, General (Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services), where graduates report median earnings of $188,157/year four years out. Students are required to live on campus.

Admissions

Admit rate4%

SAT range1470–1570

ACT range33–35

Undergrads6,758

Yield (admits who enroll)68%

Next deadlineNov 1, 2026 (EA)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$88,300

4-year grad rate96%

Median earnings, 10yr out$100,533

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

Where do you stand against Yale University's numbers?

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How Yale University weighs your application

From Yale University's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?

Academic factors

Rigor of secondary school recordVery important

Class rankVery important

Academic GPAVery important

Standardized test scoresConsidered

Application essayVery important

RecommendationsVery important

Nonacademic factors

InterviewConsidered

Extracurricular activitiesVery important

Talent/abilityVery important

Character/personal qualitiesVery important

First generationConsidered

Alumni relation (legacy)Considered

Geographical residenceConsidered

State residencyConsidered

Religious affiliationNot considered

Volunteer workConsidered

Work experienceConsidered

Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Not considered

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See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what Yale University weighs in your application

Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans5%

Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out86%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies

Area Studies$67,230/yr

Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies$65,213/yr

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences$92,646/yr

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

Computer and Information Sciences, General$188,157/yr

English Language and Literature/Letters

English Language and Literature, General$62,440/yr

History

History$109,947/yr

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$113,788/yr

Psychology

Research and Experimental Psychology$65,752/yr

Psychology, General$63,396/yr

Social Sciences

Economics$142,936/yr

Political Science and Government$90,764/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes

Required to live on campusYes

Dormitory capacity5,576

Typical room charge$10,500

Typical board charge$7,950

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPAConsidered, not required

Class rankConsidered, not required

RecommendationsRequired

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What does Yale University look for in applicants?

Per Yale University's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates character/personal qualities, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, rigor of secondary school record, class rank, academic GPA, application essay as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.

What is Yale University's acceptance rate?

Yale University in New Haven, CT admits approximately 4% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for Yale University?

Admitted students at Yale University typically score between 1470–1570 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for Yale University?

Admitted students at Yale University typically score between 33–35 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does Yale University cost?

Yale University's total cost of attendance is reported at $88,300 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for Yale University?

Yale University's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (EA), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does Yale University require students to live on campus?

Yes -- Yale University requires students to live in on-campus housing.