Yale vs. WUSTL

Comparable Facts

Compare Yale University in New Haven, CT with Washington University in St Louis in St. Louis, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington University in St Louis is larger than Yale based on total student enrollment (16,357 students vs. 15,564 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Yale vs. WUSTL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Yale or WUSTL ? 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 the same at Yale University and WUSTL ($22,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Yale University are 8.9% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($19,900 vs. $21,854).
• Yale University is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WUSTL (about $1,460 more per year; $67,250.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Yale than at Washington University in St Louis (about $1,460 more per year; $67,250.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Yale University than at Washington University in St Louis (56% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 0.3% larger than aid received by Yale University students ($66,080 vs. $65,892).

Yale vs. WUSTL Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington University in St Louis (1540) is 20 points higher than at Yale (1520).
• Incoming Yale students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at WUSTL (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 1470/1570; Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 33/35; Washington University in St Louis 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Yale - Required; WUSTL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Yale Jan 2, 2027; WUSTL Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Yale students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at WUSTL (3.92).
• WUSTL has a higher acceptance rate (12.1%) than Yale (3.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.8% at Yale vs. 46.7% at WUSTL .

Yale vs. WUSTL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Yale and WUSTL ? 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 Washington University in St Louis's (93%).
• Graduates from Yale University earn a median of about $35,600 more per year than WUSTL graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,400 vs. $82,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Yale University graduates have a $6,400 lower median loan debt than WUSTL graduates ($13,500 vs. $19,900).
• Among borrowers, Yale graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WUSTL graduates ($139 vs. $205).
• More WUSTL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Yale students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.