Yale vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

Compare Yale University in New Haven, CT with Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Yale University is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (15,564 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Yale University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Yale University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Yale University 5:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Yale vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Yale or Vassar? 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 Yale University than Vassar ($22,408 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vassar College are 8.3% lower than at Yale University ($18,240 vs. $19,900).
• Vassar College is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Yale (about $3,780 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $67,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at Vassar than at Yale University (about $3,780 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $67,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Yale University than at Vassar College (56% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Yale University students is 14.7% larger than aid received by Vassar College students ($65,892 vs. $57,443).

Yale vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Yale or Vassar? 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 Vassar and Yale.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Yale University (1520) is 20 points higher than at Vassar (1500).
• Incoming Yale students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Vassar (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 1470/1570; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 33/35; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Yale - Required; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Yale Jan 2, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Yale students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Vassar (3.86).
• Vassar has a higher acceptance rate (18.6%) than Yale (3.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.8% at Yale vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Yale vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Yale and Vassar? 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 Vassar College's (91%).
• Graduates from Yale University earn a median of about $60,000 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,400 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Yale University graduates have a $2,280 lower median loan debt than Vassar graduates ($13,500 vs. $15,780).
• Among borrowers, Yale graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vassar graduates ($139 vs. $163).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Yale students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.