Head-to-head comparison
Harvard University vs. Yale University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Harvard or Yale harder to get into?
Harvard is harder to get into than Yale. Harvard's 3.6% acceptance rate is lower than Yale's 3.7%.
Which is cheaper, Harvard or Yale?
Harvard costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Harvard's average net price is $19,066 vs $23,777 at Yale.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Harvard graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $101,817 at Harvard and $100,533 at Yale.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Harvard | Yale |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 3.6% | 3.7% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1500–1580 | 1500–1580 |
| ACT mid-50% | 34–36 | 33–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $82,950 | $90,975 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $19,066 | $23,777 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 7,240 | 6,645 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 97.6% | 95.7% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $101,817 | $100,533 |
| Setting | Cambridge, Massachusetts | New Haven, Connecticut |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Selectivity is essentially the same. Harvard's 3.6% acceptance rate and Yale's 3.7% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Harvard is in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Yale is in New Haven, Connecticut. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Harvard is 53.8% women, 14.6% international, and 22.4% Asian-American. Yale is 51.5% women, 11.2% international, and 21.9% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Harvard | Yale |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 53.8% | 51.5% |
| International | 14.6% | 11.2% |
| White | 30.9% | 31.2% |
| Asian | 22.4% | 21.9% |
| Hispanic | 11.9% | 16.6% |
| Black | 8.9% | 9.3% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Harvard vs. Yale?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Harvard if
- Net price matters: Harvard costs $4,711 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($101,817 vs $100,533)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the residential Houses system
Pick Yale if
- Your odds are realistic at Yale (slightly easier admit)
- the 14 residential colleges
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Harvard University
3.6% accept · Cambridge, Massachusetts
Full profile
Yale University
3.7% accept · New Haven, Connecticut
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.