Yale University acceptance rate & admissions

Yale University admits 4% of applicants, about 1 in 26. For Fall 2023, 2,332 of 51,803 applicants were admitted and 1,641 enrolled. The school considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional). The middle half of Fall 2024 enrolled first-year students scored 1470–1570 on the SAT or 33–35 on the ACT.

Check your chances at Yale University → Compare your GPA and scores with these ranges, and with other colleges.

Acceptance rate
4%

More selective than 100% of Connecticut colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class

Test scores
Considered, not required

56% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 26% sent ACT scores.

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class

Admitted students who enroll
70%

Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Yale University over other offers.

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class

Applicants, admits and enrollment

Applied51,803
Admitted2,332
Enrolled1,641

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.

Yale University SAT and ACT scores

Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Yale University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.

Test25th percentile75th percentile
SAT reading & writing730780
SAT math740790
ACT composite3335
SAT total (approx.)14701570

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.

Yale University admissions year over year

Entering classAcceptanceSAT readingSAT mathACTSource
Fall 20244%730–780740–79033–35College Scorecard
Fall 20235%740–780760–80033–35IPEDS

Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.

How selective is Yale University compared with other Connecticut colleges?

Yale University has the lowest acceptance rate of 23 Connecticut colleges we cover. Schools around it:

RankCollegeAcceptanceGraduationAvg. net price
1Yale University4%96%$23,777
2Wesleyan University16%93%$30,177
3United States Coast Guard Academy22%93%—
4Trinity College29%84%$34,832
5Fairfield University33%84%$48,095
6Connecticut College37%82%$36,175
7University of Connecticut52%83%$25,097
8Albertus Magnus College59%51%$34,028
9University of New Haven60%63%$34,192

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Connecticut colleges →

Who enrolls at Yale University

First-year students who return for year two99%
First-year students from Connecticut6%
Pell Grant recipients20%
First-generation students25%
Women / men51% / 49%
International students11%

College Scorecard; IPEDS

Yale University admissions questions

What is the Yale University acceptance rate?

Yale University accepts 4% of applicants, about 1 in 26. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 2,332 of 51,803 applicants were admitted.

Does Yale University require the SAT or ACT?

Yale University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 56% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 26% submitted ACT scores.

What SAT score do you need for Yale University?

The middle 50% of Yale University enrolled first-year students scored 1470–1570 on the SAT and 33–35 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.

How many admitted students enroll at Yale University?

70% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (1,641 of 2,332).

Is Yale University getting harder to get into?

Yale University accepted 4% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 5% for Fall 2023.

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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Yale University overview