Stanford vs Yale University
Stanford University and Yale University, two of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the United States, offer students a world-class education and a transformative college experience. While they share many similarities, there are also some key differences between the two schools. Stanford, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, is known for its strong programs in engineering, computer science, and entrepreneurship, while Yale, situated in the historic city of New Haven, Connecticut, excels in the humanities, social sciences, and law. With acceptance rates of 4.7% and 6.3%, respectively, both universities are highly selective, attracting top students from around the world. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details on acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, helping you make an informed decision about which university best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Stanford University |
![]() Yale University |
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Overview |
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Location | Stanford, California | New Haven, Connecticut |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Quarter | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 98.0% | 98.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 3.9% | 5.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$90
Graduate:
$125
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Undergraduate:
$80
Graduate:
$105
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SAT range | 1470 - 1570 | 1480 - 1580 |
ACT range | 34 - 35 | 33 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 15.0% | 54.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 11.0% | 35.0% |
Total number of applicants | 55,471 | 47,240 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,190 | 2,509 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,757 | 1,786 |
Yield rate | 80.2% | 71.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $78,898 | $82,170 |
Average net price | $14,402 | $20,605 |
Tuition | $55,473 | $59,950 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$11,166
Meal plan:
$6,694
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Room/dormitory:
$10,100
Meal plan:
$7,700
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
61.0%
Average amount $56,211 |
58.0%
Average amount $58,715 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
5.0%
Average amount $5,151 |
5.0%
Average amount $4,879 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $17,186 |
0.0%
Average amount $5,094 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
7,645
Men 49.4% Women 50.6% |
6,536
Men 48.6% Women 51.4% |
Graduate students |
10,035
Men 56.5% Women 43.5% |
8,031
Men 46.3% Women 53.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 58.5% | 93.6% |
International students | 24.4% | 21.6% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 14,621 | 5,576 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Texas Washington New York Illinois | California New York Connecticut Texas New Jersey |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 5:1 | 6:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 95.5% | 96.9% |
Dropout rate | 1.7% | 2.5% |
Transferred out | 0.6% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Medicine (Doctoral Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Master's Degrees)
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