Can you get into Yale University?
New Haven, CT · Private · 6,758 students Here’s the class that got in. See where your numbers land in it.
Add your GPA, or a test score, and the read appears here. Nothing you type leaves this page.
The admitted class · 2024
Here’s what it took to get in.
Acceptance rate
3.9%
SAT middle 50%
1470–1570
median 1530
ACT middle 50%
33–35
median 34
Top 10% of class
96%
of admitted students
Testing
Required
59% submitted an SAT
Graduation rate
96%
within six years
Common App
Accepted
Reported by the college
What does Yale University actually read?
Colleges publish which parts of an application they weigh. It’s the most useful thing they say about admissions. Almost nobody reads it. Say the essay counts a lot here and class rank doesn’t count at all. That tells you where to put your work.
Very important
The parts of an application this school weighs most heavily.
- Grades
- Course rigor
- Class rank
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurriculars
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
Considered
Looked at, but not decisive on its own.
- Test scores
- Interview
- First-generation status
- Legacy
- State residency
- Where you live
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
Not considered
Reported as playing no part in the decision.
- Demonstrated interest
- Religious affiliation
From Yale University’s Common Data Set, 2024, section C7, where colleges report how heavily they weigh each part of an application.
Deadlines · 2026 cycle
When should you apply?
- Restrictive Early ActionNovember 1, 2026
- Regular DecisionJanuary 2, 2027
Yale University fills part of its class in the early round. Admit rates there typically run higher. Early Decision is binding. It only fits a clear first choice.
Real cost · 2024 data
What do families actually pay?
The sticker price is $88,300. Almost nobody pays it. Here’s what families pay at Yale University by income, after grants and scholarships:
- Under $30k$17,633
- $30k–$48k$15,626
- $48k–$75k$17,943
- $75k–$110k$12,558
- Over $110k$45,951
U.S. Department of Education data: average net price a year for first-time students who got aid. Your own number depends on your family’s finances.
Keep going
Keep reading about Yale University.
About as selective
More likely for the same profile
Common questions
What do students ask about Yale University?
What’s Yale University’s acceptance rate?
Yale University admits 3.9% of applicants (latest reported cycle: 2024).
What SAT score do you need for Yale University?
The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1470 and 1570. A score above 1570 clears the 75th percentile. Below 1470, the rest of your application has to do more of the work.
Is Yale University test-optional?
No. Yale University requires SAT or ACT scores from first-year applicants for the 2026 cycle.
What does Yale University look for in an application?
Yale University says it weighs grades, course rigor, class rank, essay, recommendations most heavily, in its Common Data Set. What it lists as not considered is worth knowing too. Work you put there doesn’t count here.
How much does Yale University actually cost?
The sticker price is $88,300. The average family pays $23,777 after aid. Families earning under $30k pay about $17,633 a year on average.
What Spike does with this
Use the Yale University read in your plan.
Spike ties your numbers to your courses, testing, essays, and activities. It does the same for the rest of your college list.
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