Yale University acceptance rate
Yale University admitted 4.7% of first-year applicants for fall 2025. Of 50,264 students who applied, 2,387 got in.
- 50,264applied
- 2,387admitted
- 1,633enrolled
- 68%of admitted students enrolled (yield)
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: Yale University, Common Data Set 2025–26, section C1. Checked October 30, 2026.
How this compares with the federal figure
The Department of Education's College Scorecard still shows fall 2024, the latest year federal data covers. The college's own report is a year newer.
| Entering class | Acceptance rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | 4.7% | Common Data Set 2025–26 |
| Fall 2024 | 3.9% | College Scorecard (IPEDS 2024–25) |
Admission got slightly easier, by 0.9 percentage points.
Early decision and early action
Yale University does not offer early decision. It offers non-binding early action. Apply by November 1 and you'll hear back by December 15. It is restrictive, so applying early here generally rules out applying early to other private colleges. Regular applications are due January 2.
SAT and ACT scores
Test results are required, but AP or IB scores can replace the SAT or ACT. Its Common Data Set lists the SAT and ACT as considered if submitted, because applicants can choose other exams instead. In fall 2025, 67% of enrolled first-years submitted SAT scores and 25% submitted ACT scores, so these ranges describe only those students.
The middle 50% of enrolled students who submitted the SAT scored between 1480 and 1560.
25th, 50th and 75th percentiles of enrolled first-years, fall 2025. Source: Common Data Set 2025–26, section C9. The green bar is the middle 50% and the dark tick is the median.
Check your chances
Enter your GPA and test scores to see whether Yale is a reach, a target or a likely school for you.
Check my chances at YaleWaitlist
944 applicants were offered a place on the waitlist, 738 accepted it and 32 were admitted from it (4.3% of those who stayed on the list).
Source: Common Data Set 2025–26, section C2.
Application fee and cost
Application fee: $80 (can be waived for financial need).
Tuition and fees for 2025–26 are $69,900; the average net price after grants was $11,340 in 2024–25. See Yale's full cost and net price by family income.
Common questions
What is the Yale acceptance rate?
4.7% for students entering in fall 2025. The college admitted 2,387 of 50,264 first-year applicants, according to its Common Data Set 2025–26. The federal figure for fall 2024 was 3.9%.
Is Yale test-optional?
Not exactly. Yale University requires test results from every applicant, but AP or IB scores can be sent instead of the SAT or ACT. In fall 2025, 67% of enrolled first-years submitted SAT scores and 25% submitted ACT scores.
Sources
- Yale University, Common Data Set 2025–26 (from the college's institutional research office), checked October 30, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, release of October 15, 2026.
Each figure was copied from the source document and checked by hand. If you spot an error, tell us and we'll correct it. Read how we check the data.