Yale vs. William & Mary

Comparable Facts

Compare Yale University in New Haven, CT with William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Yale University is larger than William & Mary based on total student enrollment (15,564 students vs. 9,818 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Yale University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); William & Mary is in Williamsburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Yale University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William & Mary is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Yale University 5:1; William & Mary 12:1.

Yale vs. William & Mary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Yale or William & Mary? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at William & Mary than Yale ($19,686 vs. $22,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William & Mary are 18.7% lower than at Yale University ($16,182 vs. $19,900).
• Yale University is 159.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than William & Mary (about $41,336 more per year; $67,250.00 vs. $25,914.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.8% higher at Yale than at William & Mary (about $16,212 more per year; $67,250.00 vs. $51,038.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Yale University than at William & Mary (56% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Yale University students is 184.7% larger than aid received by William & Mary students ($65,892 vs. $23,144).

Yale vs. William & Mary Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Yale or William & Mary? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between William & Mary and Yale.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Yale University (1520) is 50 points higher than at William & Mary (1470).
• Incoming Yale students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at William & Mary).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 1470/1570; William & Mary 1400/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 33/35; William & Mary 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Yale - Required; William & Mary - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Yale Jan 2, 2027; William & Mary Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Yale students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at William & Mary (3.85).
• William & Mary has a higher acceptance rate (34.1%) than Yale (3.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.8% at Yale vs. 26.6% at William & Mary.

Yale vs. William & Mary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Yale and William & Mary? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Yale University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than William & Mary's (91%).
• Graduates from Yale University earn a median of about $49,700 more per year than William & Mary graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,400 vs. $68,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Yale University graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than William & Mary graduates ($13,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Yale graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than William & Mary graduates ($139 vs. $201).
• More William & Mary graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Yale students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 84%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.