Houston vs Yale - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Houston accepts most of the applications it receives (73.9%), while Yale turns away the overwhelming majority (4.7%).
Real money goes to international students at Yale ($84,185 on average), while Houston stops at $4,456.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Yale lists $98,900 against $45,970 (Houston), but after average aid what remains is $24,547 against $29,520.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Yale: $101K against $62K.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Yale is the more selective of the two (4.7% vs 73.92% 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 ($27,926 vs $72,500 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 (4.7% vs 73.92% acceptance); Yale has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1240).
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 ($27,926 vs $72,500); Yale offers a larger average aid package ($74,353 vs $16,450).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Houston | Yale |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #11 |
| Rank · THE | - | #10 |
| Acceptance rate | 73.92% | 4.7% |
| Yield rate | 26.5% | 68.4% |
| Median SAT | 1240 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.49 | - |
| Number of applications | 31,716 | 50,264 |
| International students | 5.7% | 10.6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $101K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $66K |
| 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 | $27,926 | $72,500 |
| Avg. aid package | $16,450 | $74,353 |
| % 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 73.92% of applicants, while Yale accepts 4.7%.
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 $27,926 per year at Houston and $72,500 per year at Yale.
What SAT score do you need for Houston or Yale?
The median admitted SAT score is 1240 at Houston and 1540 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 $74,353 at Yale.
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