Yale vs Iowa State - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Iowa State accepts most of the applications it receives (88.7%), while Yale turns away the overwhelming majority (4.7%).
The more international environment is at Yale (10.6% international students) than Iowa State (3.7%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Yale awards international students $84,185 on average, Iowa State awards $12,582.
The cheaper tuition belongs to Iowa State: $28,881 against $72,500, or $43,619 less a year.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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 88.66% acceptance). Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#11 vs #501-600). Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $63K). Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 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 Iowa State for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Yale is more selective (4.7% vs 88.66% acceptance); Yale has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1250).
Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $63K); Yale has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.7% vs 75.3%).
Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 vs $72,500); Yale offers a larger average aid package ($74,353 vs $15,665).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Yale | Iowa State |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #11 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #10 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.7% | 88.66% |
| Yield rate | 68.4% | 28.8% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1250 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.75 |
| Number of applications | 50,264 | 23,095 |
| International students | 10.6% | 3.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $63K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $44K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $194K | $90K |
| Graduation rate | 95.7% | 75.3% |
| Retention rate | 99.4% | 87.6% |
| Median debt | $12,975 | $22,869 |
| Tuition · year | $72,500 | $28,881 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,353 | $15,665 |
| % of need met | 100% | 78% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,185 | $29,475 |
| Application fee | $80 | $40 |
| Enrollment | 15,657 | 30,432 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Yale or Iowa State?
It's harder to get into Yale. Yale accepts 4.7% of applicants, while Iowa State accepts 88.66%.
Do Yale or Iowa State graduates earn more?
Yale graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $101K vs $63K.
How much is tuition at Yale vs Iowa State?
Sticker-price tuition is $72,500 per year at Yale and $28,881 per year at Iowa State.
What SAT score do you need for Yale or Iowa State?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Yale and 1250 at Iowa State; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Yale or Iowa State?
Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #11 for Yale vs #501-600 for Iowa State.
Which university offers more financial aid - Yale or Iowa State?
The average aid package is $74,353 at Yale and $15,665 at Iowa State.
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