Updated February 11, 2025

Yale University – Acceptance Rate and Statistics

What is attending Yale like?

Yale’s neo-gothic campus sits in the middle of New Haven, CT and offers acres of greenery and pleasing architecture for its undergraduate population of around 6,700. An Ivy League institution with a reputation for intelligent students, Yale’s also well-known for its impressive performing arts tradition, whose alumni boast composers like Cole Porter and Bobby Lopez.

Yale is also known for its residential colleges, living and learning spaces that each have their own dining hall, library, fitness center, music practice rooms, and faculty members who live in the college with their families. These residential colleges bring students together in a smaller community, while allowing them to utilize all of the resources of a large university like Yale.

Although Ivy League institutions aren’t always known for their athletic prowess, Yale keeps up a friendly rivalry with fellow New England institution Harvard. The annual Yale-Harvard football game is a popular tradition for football fans and novices alike.

Yale’s campus is made up of stunning neo-gothic architecture.

Yale University 2023-2024 Admissions Data

Yale University Admissions Statistics

Yale’s acceptance rate is 3.7% overall, with 2146 applicants receiving offers of admission during last year’s application cycle. The acceptance rate is slightly higher during Early Action, but Yale’s admissions committee holds these students to the same standards as those who apply Regular Decision.

Unlike many other Ivy League schools, Yale’s early application is Early Action, meaning it’s non-binding. If you get in, you are not required to attend Yale. You’ll also be allowed to apply to other schools during the Regular Decision cycle, and you can wait until May 1st to respond to an offer of admission. However, there are more restrictions if you want to apply Early Action to other schools, and they’re all outlined on Yale’s website.

2023-2024 Yale University (Class of 2028) Acceptance Rate

Admission Cycle	Number of applicants	Number admitted	Acceptance rate
Early Action	7,856	709	9%
Regular Decision	49,609	1,365	2.8%
All Applicants	57,465	2,146	3.7%

Yale Acceptance Rate History

Year	Number of applicants	Number admitted	Acceptance rate
2023-2024 (Class of 2028)	57,465	2,146	3.7%
2022-2023 (Class of 2027)	50,060	2,289	4.6%
2021-2022 (Class of 2026)	47,240	2,509	5.3%
2020-2021 (Class of 2025)	35,220	2,299	6.5%
2019-2020 (Class of 2024)	36,844	2,241	6.1%

Yale Class of 2028 Middle 50% score range of admitted students (25th and 75th percentiles)*

SAT Math	760-800
SAT ERW	740-780
ACT Math	31-35
ACT English	34-36
ACT Composite	33-35

*What does this mean? The middle 50% score range refers to students from the 25th to the 75th percentile of admitted students. So if 100 students were admitted and we ranked their SAT scores from lowest to highest, we’d be looking at 50 students’ stats (from student 25 through student 75).

What is Yale looking for?

According to Yale’s admissions site, the admissions team asks two important questions: “Who is likely to make the most of Yale’s resources?” and “Who will contribute most significantly to the Yale community?”

Yale wants to understand you as a candidate and a person. You can shine a light on everything that makes you you through your essays, test scores, academic profile, teacher recommendations, and activities.

Yale’s admissions office also shares the following advice: “Pursue what you love and tell us about that. Be yourself. Ask the teachers who really know you to recommend you. Apply and relax.”

Other colleges you may be interested in:

College Name	Number of applicants (Class of 2028)	Number admitted (Class of 2028)	Acceptance rate (Class of 2028)
Columbia University	60,248	2,319	3.9%
Brown University	48,881	2,521	5.2%
Rice University	32,473	1,163	3.6%

PrepMaven can help you in the admissions process

Wondering how to get into Yale University? PrepMaven can help you along the way. Whether you’re looking to boost your test scores, write a killer personal statement, or improve your GPA, we can be a helpful resource. With tutors who are graduates of top universities, valedictorians, National Merit Finalists, and National AP Scholars, we’re here to help you no matter what step you’re at in the admissions process.

Give us a call at 609-945-2264 or fill out our website form to learn how our flexible packages can work for you.

Alexis

Alexis is a tutor, writer, and producer. She graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. As a tutor, she loves to help students explore their unique stories and share their personal journeys through impactful essay writing.

Related College Admission Data Articles

Yale University - Acceptance Rate and Statistics