Yale University vs Harvard University

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When choosing between two prestigious universities like Yale University and Harvard University, it’s essential to carefully examine different aspects of each institution. The following sections will provide an overview of each school, including costs and tuition, admissions, degrees offered, academics, diversity, students, campus, alumni, rankings, and outcomes.

CollegeRanker is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Yale University Overview

Yale University, founded in 1701, is a private Ivy League research university in New Haven, Connecticut. It is known for its strong liberal arts programs, world-renowned faculty, and beautiful campus. Yale offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs with a global reputation for excellence.

Yale University Costs & Tuition

Yale University charges $57,700 for tuition and mandatory fees, with a total cost of attendance estimated at $77,750 per year. However, Yale provides substantial need-based financial aid to help families cover the costs, and approximately 64% of students receive some form of financial aid.

Yale University Admissions

Yale University is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 6.1%. The middle 50% of admitted students have SAT scores ranging from 1470 to 1570 and ACT scores between 33 and 35. Yale’s holistic admissions process takes into consideration a student’s academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities.

Yale University Degrees Offered

Yale offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees across various fields of study. Some of the most popular undergraduate majors include Economics, Political Science, and Biology. Yale’s graduate and professional schools include the School of Medicine, School of Law, School of Management, and School of Divinity.

Yale University Academics

Yale University is renowned for its exceptional academics, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1, ensuring personalized attention and support for each student. Yale offers over 2,000 undergraduate courses across 80 majors and has a flexible curriculum, allowing students to explore various disciplines before choosing their major.

Yale University Diversity

Yale is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. The undergraduate student body is composed of 52% women and 48% men, with 43% identifying as members of minority groups. Additionally, 11% of the undergraduate student population is international, representing over 120 countries.

Yale University Students

Yale students are known for their intellectual curiosity, creativity, and engagement in various activities beyond the classroom. The university has over 500 student organizations, including clubs focused on academics, athletics, community service, cultural groups, and performing arts.

Yale University Campus

Yale’s campus spans 343 acres and features stunning Gothic architecture, world-class museums, and state-of-the-art facilities. The university offers 14 residential colleges, each with its own dining hall, library, and recreational facilities, creating a close-knit community within the larger university.

Yale University Alumni

Yale has a vast network of accomplished alumni, including numerous U.S. presidents, Supreme Court justices, Nobel laureates, and other notable figures. Some famous Yale alumni include Hillary Clinton, Meryl Streep, and George H.W. Bush.

Yale University Rankings

Yale consistently ranks among the top universities in the world. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Yale is ranked 4th in National Universities and 3rd in Best Undergraduate Teaching.

Yale University Outcomes

Yale University boasts impressive outcomes for its graduates, with a 97% six-year graduation rate. Within six months of graduation, 75% of students are employed or pursuing further education, and the average starting salary for Yale graduates is $72,000.

Harvard University Overview

Harvard University, founded in 1636, is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. As the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, Harvard has a rich history and a reputation for academic excellence. Harvard offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in various fields.

Harvard University Costs & Tuition

Harvard University charges $54,002 for tuition and mandatory fees, with a total cost of attendance estimated at $74,528 per year. Like Yale, Harvard provides generous need-based financial aid to help families cover the costs, and approximately 55% of students receive some form of financial aid.

Harvard University Admissions

Harvard University is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 4.6%. The middle 50% of admitted students have SAT scores ranging from 1460 to 1580 and ACT scores between 33 and 35. Harvard’s holistic admissions process takes into consideration a student’s academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities.

Harvard University Degrees Offered

Harvard offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees across various fields of study. Some of the most popular undergraduate majors include Economics, Government, and Computer Science. Harvard’s graduate and professional schools include the School of Business, School of Law, and School of Medicine.

Harvard University Academics

Harvard University is renowned for its exceptional academics, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 7:1, ensuring personalized attention and support for each student. Harvard offers over 3,700 undergraduate courses across 50 fields of study and has a flexible curriculum, allowing students to explore various disciplines before choosing their major.

Harvard University Diversity

Harvard is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. The undergraduate student body is composed of 51% women and 49% men, with 42% identifying as members of minority groups. Additionally, 12% of the undergraduate student population is international, representing over 120 countries.

Harvard University Students

Harvard students are known for their intellectual curiosity, creativity, and engagement in various activities beyond the classroom. The university has over 450 student organizations, including clubs focused on academics, athletics, community service, cultural groups, and performing arts.

Harvard University Campus

Harvard’s campus spans 5,076 acres and features historic buildings, world-class museums, and state-of-the-art facilities. The university offers 12 residential houses, each with its own dining hall, library, and recreational facilities, creating a close-knit community within the larger university.

Harvard University Alumni

Harvard has a vast network of accomplished alumni, including numerous U.S. presidents, Supreme Court justices, Nobel laureates, and other notable figures. Some famous Harvard alumni include Barack Obama, Mark Zuckerberg, and Natalie Portman.

Harvard University Rankings

Harvard consistently ranks among the top universities in the world. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Harvard is ranked 2nd in National Universities and 1st in Best Undergraduate Teaching.

Harvard University Outcomes

Harvard University boasts impressive outcomes for its graduates, with a 97% six-year graduation rate. Within six months of graduation, 72% of students are employed or pursuing further education, and the average starting salary for Harvard graduates is $70,000.

Yale University vs Harvard University Cost Comparison

Yale University’s tuition and mandatory fees are slightly higher than Harvard University’s, at $57,700 compared to $54,002. However, both schools provide substantial need-based financial aid, and the difference in cost may be negligible for many students.

Yale University vs Harvard University Admissions Difficulty

Both universities have similar acceptance rates, with Yale at 6.1% and Harvard at 4.6%. The middle 50% SAT and ACT score ranges for admitted students are also similar, indicating that both schools have extremely competitive admissions processes.

Yale University vs Harvard University Academic Difficulty

Yale and Harvard are both known for their rigorous academics and exceptional faculty. The student-to-faculty ratios at both schools are comparable, with Yale at 6:1 and Harvard at 7:1. Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate courses across various fields of study, and students at both schools can expect a challenging and intellectually stimulating academic experience.

Yale University vs Harvard University Outcome Comparison

Graduation rates and post-graduation outcomes are similar for both Yale and Harvard, with each institution boasting a 97% six-year graduation rate. Within six months of graduation, 75% of Yale graduates and 72% of Harvard graduates are employed or pursuing further education. The average starting salary is slightly higher for Yale graduates at $72,000 compared to $70,000 for Harvard graduates.