Stanford vs Yale - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The gap in median earnings after a decade favours Stanford: $124K against $101K.
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (3.8% and 4.7%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
On SAT scores this is the same calibre of applicant: 1550 and 1540.
Both meet assessed financial need in full; the real cost therefore depends on your circumstances, not on tuition.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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
Stanford is the more selective of the two (3.8% vs 4.7% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#2 vs #11). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $101K). Stanford has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,574 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 Stanford for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Yale for: a higher graduation rate, higher retention, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Stanford is more selective (3.8% vs 4.7% acceptance); Stanford has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1540).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $101K); Yale has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.7% vs 91.9%).
Stanford has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,574 vs $72,500); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($77,279 vs $74,353).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Stanford | Yale |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #2 | #11 |
| Rank · THE | #6 | #10 |
| Acceptance rate | 3.8% | 4.7% |
| Yield rate | 79.9% | 68.4% |
| Median SAT | 1550 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.94 | - |
| Number of applications | 60,646 | 50,264 |
| International students | 13.1% | 10.6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $124K | $101K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $73K | $66K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $220K | $194K |
| Graduation rate | 91.9% | 95.7% |
| Retention rate | 97.5% | 99.4% |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $12,975 |
| Tuition · year | $68,574 | $72,500 |
| Avg. aid package | $77,279 | $74,353 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,507 | $22,185 |
| Application fee | $100 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 18,121 | 15,657 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Stanford or Yale?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Stanford accepts 3.8% of applicants, while Yale accepts 4.7%.
Do Stanford or Yale graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $101K.
How much is tuition at Stanford vs Yale?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,574 per year at Stanford and $72,500 per year at Yale.
What SAT score do you need for Stanford or Yale?
The median admitted SAT score is 1550 at Stanford and 1540 at Yale; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Stanford or Yale?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #2 for Stanford vs #11 for Yale.
Which university offers more financial aid - Stanford or Yale?
The average aid package is $77,279 at Stanford and $74,353 at Yale.
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