New Haven, Connecticut · Private · 6,758 undergrads
Yale admitted 4.7% of applicants for fall 2025 (2,387 of 50,264, Common Data Set 2025-26). Of the 738 students who took a spot on the wait list, 32 were admitted (4.3%). Yale requires the SAT or ACT for fall 2027. The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent SAT scores had 1480–1560.
The numbers
Applied
50,264
fall 2025
ACT, middle 50%
33–35
enrolled first-years
Accept their offer
70%
of admitted students enroll
Application fee
$80
waivers exist
See your odds and what families like yours paid. It stays on your device.Add my SAT and income
Can I get into Yale?
4.7% of applicants get in
Almost everyone who applies is turned down, including many students with perfect grades. The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent scores had 1480–1560 on the SAT.
Likely: even the low end of our estimate is 60% or more, and the college admits at least 25% of applicants. Target: our estimate is 30% or more. Reach: our estimate is under 30%, or the college admits under 15%. Long shot: our estimate is under 12%, or the college admits under 12%. Estimates use the college's admit rate and score range plus your grades and scores. They are not a promise.
50,264 applied, 2,387 admitted, fall 2025 (Common Data Set).
Does Yale need the SAT or ACT?Required
Yes.
Required for fall 2027. Plan to take the SAT or ACT and send your best score.
Checked on admissions.yale.edu Nov 2, 2026. See the source
Early rounds and deadlines
Restrictive early action is offered: not binding, but it limits where else you can apply early.
Closed
Restrictive early action
Was due Nov 1, 2026
53days
Regular decision
Due Saturday, Jan 2, 2027
Early-round numbers: Common Data Set, fall 2025.
The wait list
944 students were offered a wait-list spot and 738 took one. 32 of them got in (4.3%).
Common Data Set, fall 2025.
What Yale looks at
Counts most
How hard your classes were, class rank, GPA, essay, recommendations, activities, talent or ability, character.
Also considered
SAT or ACT scores, interview, first in your family to go to college, A parent or relative went there, where you live, state residency, volunteering, work experience.
As Yale rates each factor in its Common Data Set, fall 2025.
Questions people ask
What is Yale University's acceptance rate?
Yale admitted 4.7% of applicants for fall 2025 (2,387 of 50,264, Common Data Set 2025-26).
What SAT score do you need for Yale University?
The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent SAT scores had 1480–1560. A quarter of them scored higher and a quarter lower, so it's a typical range, not a cutoff (Common Data Set, fall 2025).
Does Yale University take students off the wait list?
944 students were offered a wait-list spot and 738 took one. 32 of them got in (4.3%).
Where these numbers come from
Admit rate and applicants: Common Data Set, fall 2025 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
GPA, early rounds and wait list: Common Data Set, fall 2025 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
Cost, pay and debt: College Scorecard, 2024-25 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
