Kansas vs Yale - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Yale admits 4.7% of applications, Kansas admits 93.5%.
The more international environment is at Yale (10.6% international students) than Kansas (3.1%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Yale awards international students $84,185 on average, Kansas awards $11,164.
The cheaper tuition belongs to Kansas: $30,432 against $72,500, or $42,068 less a year.
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 93.48% acceptance). Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #11). Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $62K). Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 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 Kansas 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 (4.7% vs 93.48% acceptance); Yale has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1190).
Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $62K); Yale has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.7% vs 68.8%).
Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 vs $72,500); Yale offers a larger average aid package ($74,353 vs $19,700).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Kansas | Yale |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #11 |
| Rank · THE | - | #10 |
| Acceptance rate | 93.48% | 4.7% |
| Yield rate | 25.5% | 68.4% |
| Median SAT | 1190 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.68 | - |
| Number of applications | 22,363 | 50,264 |
| International students | 3.1% | 10.6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $101K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $40K | $66K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $88K | $194K |
| Graduation rate | 68.8% | 95.7% |
| Retention rate | 86% | 99.4% |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $12,975 |
| Tuition · year | $30,432 | $72,500 |
| Avg. aid package | $19,700 | $74,353 |
| % of need met | 78.6% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,212 | $22,185 |
| Application fee | $40 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 29,792 | 15,657 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Kansas or Yale?
It's harder to get into Yale. Kansas accepts 93.48% of applicants, while Yale accepts 4.7%.
Do Kansas or Yale graduates earn more?
Yale graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $101K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Kansas vs Yale?
Sticker-price tuition is $30,432 per year at Kansas and $72,500 per year at Yale.
What SAT score do you need for Kansas or Yale?
The median admitted SAT score is 1190 at Kansas and 1540 at Yale; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Kansas or Yale?
Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Kansas vs #11 for Yale.
Which university offers more financial aid - Kansas or Yale?
The average aid package is $19,700 at Kansas and $74,353 at Yale.
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