Overview
Yale University is a private Ivy League school established in 1701. As of fall 2023, it has 6,818 undergraduate students and a sprawling 1,108-acre campus. The university follows a semester-based academic calendar. In the 2025 Best Colleges rankings, Yale holds the #5 spot among National Universities. Tuition and fees stand at $67,250.
Yale University Rankings
To get a full picture of what Yale offers, check out where it stands in various rankings:
- #5 in National Universities
- #5 in Best Value Schools
- #35 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (tie)
- At schools whose highest degree is a doctorate
- Environmental / Environmental Health
- Computer Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Theory
- #5 in Psychology Programs (tie)
- #5 in Economics (tie)
- #5 in Writing in the Disciplines (tie)
- #27 in Study Abroad (tie)
- #2 in Learning Communities (tie)
- #8 in Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects (tie)
- #26 in First-Year Experiences (tie)
- #5 in Senior Capstone (tie)
- #13 in Best Colleges for Veterans
- #15 in Best Undergraduate Teaching (tie)
- #26 in Most Innovative Schools (tie)
- #111 in Top Performers on Social Mobility (tie)
Yale ranks #5 out of 436 National Universities. These rankings are based on widely accepted measures of academic excellence.
U.S. News Overall Score
- Score (out of 100): 95
- Outcomes (52%)
- Average 6-year graduation rate (16%): 97%
- 6-year graduation rate (Pell Grant recipients) (5.5%): 93%
- 6-year graduation rate (non-Pell Grant recipients) (5.5%): 97%
Yale University Admissions
Yale has a highly selective 5% acceptance rate. For admitted students who submitted test scores:
- SAT range (middle 50%): 1500–1580
- ACT range (middle 50%): 33–35
(One quarter scored above these ranges, another quarter below.)
Key Admissions Factors:
- GPA: Very important
- High school class rank (if available): Very important
- Letters of recommendation: Very important
Admissions Stats:
- Application fee: $80
- Acceptance rate: 5%
Yale University Tuition & Financial Aid
Yale’s tuition and fees total 67,250∗∗(2024–25),higherthanthenationalaverageof∗∗67,250∗∗(2024–25),higherthanthenationalaverageof∗∗47,890.
Cost Breakdown:
- Total cost (including housing, food, etc.): $88,430
- Average net price (after aid): $19,266
Net Price by Family Income (2021–2022):
| Family Income | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 0–0–30,000 | $341 |
| 30,001–30,001–48,000 | $1,751 |
| 48,001–48,001–75,000 | $5,283 |
| 75,001–75,001–110,000 | $14,152 |
| $110,001+ | $45,628 |
- Food and Housing: $19,900
Yale University Academics
- Student-faculty ratio: 6:1
- 72.4% of classes have fewer than 20 students.
- Top majors (2023 graduates):
- Social Sciences (22%)
- Biological & Biomedical Sciences (11%)
- Computer & Information Sciences (10%)
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (8%)
- Mathematics & Statistics (7%)
- Engineering (6%)
- History (6%)
- Visual & Performing Arts (5%)
- Psychology (4%)
- Freshman retention rate (student satisfaction): 90%
Yale University Student Life
- Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2023): 6,818
- Gender distribution: 47.5% male, 50.9% female
- Housing: 80% live on campus; 20% live off campus.
- Athletics: NCAA Division I
Student Body Stats (Fall 2023):
- Total enrollment: 15,081
- Undergraduate students: 6,818
- Graduate students: 8,263
- Pell Grant recipients (2022–23): 20%
Yale University Campus
Student Services Include:
- Tutoring (non-developmental)
- Women’s center
- Career placement
- Health services & insurance
Campus Safety Features:
- 24/7 foot & vehicle patrols
- Late-night transport/escort service
- Emergency phones & lighted pathways
- Secure dorm access (key/card required)
Alcohol Policy: Permitted for students of legal age.
