Harvard University vs Yale University

Harvard University and Yale University are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Harvard University is more selective with a 3.5% acceptance rate compared to Yale University's 4.5%. Average SAT scores are 1553 and 1534 respectively.

Cost: Harvard University offers a lower average net price at $16,816, which is $11,002 less than Yale University ($27,818). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Harvard University earn a median salary of $101,817 ten years after enrollment, which is $1,284 more than Yale University graduates ($100,533).

Graduation: Harvard University leads with a 97.5% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 98.6% vs 99.0%.

Campus Size: Harvard University is the larger campus with 7,755 total students, while Yale University has 6,811.

Bottom Line: Harvard University stands out as both more affordable and producing higher-earning graduates — making it the stronger value proposition overall.