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