Illinois urbana-champaign vs Yale — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Yale is the more selective of the two (3.9% vs 42.4% acceptance). Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#55 vs #11). Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $81K). Illinois urbana-champaign has lower sticker-price tuition ($35,124 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 Illinois urbana-champaign for: lower tuition.
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 42.4% acceptance); Yale has a higher median SAT (1534 vs 1440).
Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $81K); Yale has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.7% vs 85.1%).
Illinois urbana-champaign has lower sticker-price tuition ($35,124 vs $67,250); Yale offers a larger average aid package ($76,770 vs $23,217).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Illinois urbana-champaign | Yale |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #55 | #11 |
| Rank · THE | #46 | #10 |
| Acceptance rate | 42.4% | 3.9% |
| Yield rate | 28.8% | 68.4% |
| Median SAT | 1440 | 1534 |
| Avg. GPA | — | — |
| Number of applications | 73,742 | 50,264 |
| International students | 25% | 22% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $81K | $101K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $71K | $124K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $194K |
| Graduation rate | 85.1% | 95.7% |
| Retention rate | 94.8% | 99.4% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $12,975 |
| Tuition · year | $35,124 | $67,250 |
| Avg. aid package | $23,217 | $76,770 |
| % of need met | 0.8% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,395 | $22,185 |
| Application fee | $50 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 59,238 | 15,657 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Illinois urbana-champaign or Yale?
It's harder to get into Yale. Illinois urbana-champaign accepts 42.4% of applicants, while Yale accepts 3.9%.
Do Illinois urbana-champaign or Yale graduates earn more?
Yale graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $101K vs $81K.
How much is tuition at Illinois urbana-champaign vs Yale?
Sticker-price tuition is $35,124 per year at Illinois urbana-champaign and $67,250 per year at Yale.
What SAT score do you need for Illinois urbana-champaign or Yale?
The median admitted SAT score is 1440 at Illinois urbana-champaign and 1534 at Yale; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Illinois urbana-champaign or Yale?
Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #55 for Illinois urbana-champaign vs #11 for Yale.
Which university offers more financial aid — Illinois urbana-champaign or Yale?
The average aid package is $23,217 at Illinois urbana-champaign and $76,770 at Yale.
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