Yale vs Central Florida - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Yale: 4.7% against 44.7% (Central Florida).
The more international environment is at Yale (10.6% international students) than Central Florida (3.3%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Yale awards international students $84,185 on average, Central Florida awards $928.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Yale starts at $98,900 against $42,038 and ends at $24,547 against $30,224 (Central Florida).
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 44.71% acceptance). Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#11 vs #401-500). Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $58K). Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 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 Yale for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Central Florida for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Yale is more selective (4.7% vs 44.71% acceptance); Yale has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1260).
Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $58K); Yale has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.7% vs 78%).
Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 vs $72,500); Yale offers a larger average aid package ($74,353 vs $11,814).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Yale | Central Florida |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #11 | #401-500 |
| Rank · THE | #10 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.7% | 44.71% |
| Yield rate | 68.4% | 33.5% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1260 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 4.16 |
| Number of applications | 50,264 | 55,135 |
| International students | 10.6% | 3.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $58K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $194K | $86K |
| Graduation rate | 95.7% | 78% |
| Retention rate | 99.4% | 92.3% |
| Median debt | $12,975 | $18,190 |
| Tuition · year | $72,500 | $24,076 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,353 | $11,814 |
| % of need met | 100% | 65% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,185 | $20,529 |
| Application fee | $80 | $30 |
| Enrollment | 15,657 | 69,338 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Yale or Central Florida?
It's harder to get into Yale. Yale accepts 4.7% of applicants, while Central Florida accepts 44.71%.
Do Yale or Central Florida graduates earn more?
Yale graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $101K vs $58K.
How much is tuition at Yale vs Central Florida?
Sticker-price tuition is $72,500 per year at Yale and $24,076 per year at Central Florida.
What SAT score do you need for Yale or Central Florida?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Yale and 1260 at Central Florida; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Yale or Central Florida?
Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #11 for Yale vs #401-500 for Central Florida.
Which university offers more financial aid - Yale or Central Florida?
The average aid package is $74,353 at Yale and $11,814 at Central Florida.
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