Campus Vibe
Among the most selective in the Northeast — top graduate earnings
Yale University is a private institution in New Haven with particular strength in biology and computer science. With an average SAT of 1534, the school attracts a competitive applicant pool.
A mid-sized campus of 6.8K undergraduates with a 6:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
96% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $100,533 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $27,818.
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Yale University Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1534
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Admissions
Application Platforms
Early Action (Restrictive)
November 1
Decision by Mid-December
Regular Decision
January 2
Decision by Late March
Reply by May 1
Yale is test-optional for the Class of 2029 and beyond
Yale requires several short-answer questions and essays in addition to the main personal statement
Financial Aid
Yale eliminated loans from all financial aid packages
Yale is need-blind for all applicants, including international students
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
94.2%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$11,648
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
51
Peer Average
37
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Academics
Yale has distributional requirements across humanities, sciences, social sciences, quantitative reasoning, writing, and foreign language
Research: Yale provides extensive research opportunities through funded summer programs and academic year research assistantships
Thesis: Senior projects available in most majors; required for some
Programs (190)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
99%
- •99% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Campus Life
Yale-Harvard rivalry is one of the oldest in college sports
Housing & Residential Life
Housing Styles
Old Campus for most first-years
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Notable Alumni
George H.W. Bush '48
41st President of the United States
George W. Bush '68
43rd President of the United States
Bill Clinton '73
42nd President of the United States
Hillary Clinton (Law '73)
Former U.S. Secretary of State and Senator
Meryl Streep '75
Academy Award-winning actress
Jodie Foster '85
Academy Award-winning actress and director
Paul Krugman '74
Nobel Prize-winning economist
Rankings
More About This School
Varsity Sports
History & Fun Facts
- •The school moved to Saybrook in 1703, when the first treasurer of Yale, Nathaniel Lynde, donated land and a building.
- •Through the persuasion of Jeremiah Dummer, Yale, who had made a fortune in Madras while working for the East India Company as the first president of Fort St.
- •The 1714 shipment of 500 books represented the best of modern English literature, science, philosophy and theology.
- •In 1722, the rector and six friends, who had a study group to discuss the new ideas, announced they had given up Calvinism, become Arminians, and joined the Church of England.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Transit Scores
Local Economy
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Getting Around
Walkability
Compact, walkable campus in downtown New Haven with shuttle service and bike-friendly infrastructure
Visit Planning
Suggested Itinerary
Nearby Hotels
Airport Transit
Nearby Attractions
Yale University Art Gallerywalkable
Oldest university art museum in the Western Hemisphere
Peabody Museum of Natural Historywalkable
Natural history museum with dinosaur exhibits
New Haven Greenwalkable
Historic 16-acre park in downtown New Haven
Wooster Square
Historic neighborhood known for excellent pizza
East Rock Park
Park with hiking trails and panoramic views
Transfer Admission
Fall Transfer
March 1
Need-blind for transfer applicants. Full financial need met.
International Students
English Proficiency Requirements
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