Yale vs Houston - 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 (#11 vs #201-300). 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 Yale for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Houston 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 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 | Yale | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #11 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | #10 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.7% | 73.92% |
| Yield rate | 68.4% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1240 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.49 |
| Number of applications | 50,264 | 31,716 |
| International students | 10.6% | 5.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $62K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $194K | $93K |
| Graduation rate | 95.7% | 64.6% |
| Retention rate | 99.4% | 87% |
| Median debt | $12,975 | $18,194 |
| Tuition · year | $72,500 | $27,926 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,353 | $16,450 |
| % of need met | 100% | 55.1% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,185 | $21,819 |
| Application fee | $80 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 15,657 | 47,980 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Yale or Houston?
It's harder to get into Yale. Yale accepts 4.7% of applicants, while Houston accepts 73.92%.
Do Yale or Houston graduates earn more?
Yale graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $101K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Yale vs Houston?
Sticker-price tuition is $72,500 per year at Yale and $27,926 per year at Houston.
What SAT score do you need for Yale or Houston?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Yale and 1240 at Houston; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Yale or Houston?
Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #11 for Yale vs #201-300 for Houston.
Which university offers more financial aid - Yale or Houston?
The average aid package is $74,353 at Yale and $16,450 at Houston.
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