Yale University vs Vanderbilt University

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

Admissions: Yale University is more selective with a 4.5% acceptance rate compared to Vanderbilt University's 6.3%. Average SAT scores are 1534 and 1550 respectively.

Cost: Vanderbilt University offers a lower average net price at $19,040, which is $8,778 less than Yale University ($27,818). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Yale University earn a median salary of $100,533 ten years after enrollment, which is $8,968 more than Vanderbilt University graduates ($91,565).

Graduation: Yale University leads with a 97.0% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 99.0% vs 96.4%.

Campus Size: Vanderbilt University is the larger campus with 7,143 total students, while Yale University has 6,811.

Bottom Line: Vanderbilt University wins on affordability while Yale University leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.