Yale vs Washington University - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Yale: 4.7% against 12.1% (Washington University).
Real money goes to international students at Yale ($84,185 on average), while Washington University stops at $68,438.
The gap in median earnings after a decade favours Yale: $101K against $86K.
On SAT scores this is the same calibre of applicant: 1540 and 1540.
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 12.1% acceptance). Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#11 vs #23). Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $86K). Washington University has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,594 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 Washington University for: lower tuition, a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Yale is more selective (4.7% vs 12.1% acceptance).
Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $86K); Yale has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.7% vs 94.3%).
Washington University has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,594 vs $72,500); Washington University offers a larger average aid package ($75,604 vs $74,353).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Yale | Washington University |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #11 | #23 |
| Rank · THE | #10 | #69 |
| Acceptance rate | 4.7% | 12.1% |
| Yield rate | 68.4% | 46.7% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 4.19 |
| Number of applications | 50,264 | 32,754 |
| International students | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $86K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $194K | $137K |
| Graduation rate | 95.7% | 94.3% |
| Retention rate | 99.4% | 95% |
| Median debt | $12,975 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $72,500 | $69,594 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,353 | $75,604 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,185 | $26,666 |
| Application fee | $80 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 15,657 | 16,357 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Yale or Washington University?
It's harder to get into Yale. Yale accepts 4.7% of applicants, while Washington University accepts 12.1%.
Do Yale or Washington University graduates earn more?
Yale graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $101K vs $86K.
How much is tuition at Yale vs Washington University?
Sticker-price tuition is $72,500 per year at Yale and $69,594 per year at Washington University.
What SAT score do you need for Yale or Washington University?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Yale and 1540 at Washington University; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Yale or Washington University?
Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #11 for Yale vs #23 for Washington University.
Which university offers more financial aid - Yale or Washington University?
The average aid package is $74,353 at Yale and $75,604 at Washington University.
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