Houston vs Yale — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Yale is the more selective of the two (3.9% vs 73.9% acceptance). Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #11). Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $62K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,547 vs $67,250 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical — the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Houston for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Yale for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Yale is more selective (3.9% vs 73.9% acceptance); Yale has a higher median SAT (1534 vs 1250).
Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $62K); Yale has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.7% vs 64.6%).
Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,547 vs $67,250); Yale offers a larger average aid package ($76,770 vs $16,450).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Houston | Yale |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #11 |
| Rank · THE | — | #10 |
| Acceptance rate | 73.9% | 3.9% |
| Yield rate | 26.5% | 68.4% |
| Median SAT | 1250 | 1534 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.50 | — |
| Number of applications | 31,716 | 50,264 |
| International students | 16% | 22% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $101K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $61K | $124K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $194K |
| Graduation rate | 64.6% | 95.7% |
| Retention rate | 87% | 99.4% |
| Median debt | $18,194 | $12,975 |
| Tuition · year | $22,547 | $67,250 |
| Avg. aid package | $16,450 | $76,770 |
| % of need met | 55.1% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,819 | $22,185 |
| Application fee | $75 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 47,980 | 15,657 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Houston or Yale?
It's harder to get into Yale. Houston accepts 73.9% of applicants, while Yale accepts 3.9%.
Do Houston or Yale graduates earn more?
Yale graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $101K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Houston vs Yale?
Sticker-price tuition is $22,547 per year at Houston and $67,250 per year at Yale.
What SAT score do you need for Houston or Yale?
The median admitted SAT score is 1250 at Houston and 1534 at Yale; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Houston or Yale?
Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Houston vs #11 for Yale.
Which university offers more financial aid — Houston or Yale?
The average aid package is $16,450 at Houston and $76,770 at Yale.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern
North carolina