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University of Alabama vs Yale University

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

80.0% Alabama acceptance
4.4% Yale acceptance
$157,600 Alabama cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Public
Founded
1831
Enrollment
39,975
Setting
Suburban
Yale
New Haven, Connecticut
Private
Founded
1701
Enrollment
14,776
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition Alabama saves $32,300
Alabama
$32,400
Yale
$64,700
Acceptance Rate Yale more selective
Alabama
80.0%
Yale
4.4%
Graduation Rate Yale higher
Alabama
73%
Yale
96%
Avg SAT Score Yale higher
Alabama
1260
Yale
1540
Starting Salary Yale higher
Alabama
$58,400
Yale
$83,200

Detailed Comparison

Metric Alabama Yale Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$32,400$64,700Alabama
Tuition (In-State)$11,580$64,700Alabama
Room & Board$12,100$19,200Alabama
Acceptance Rate80.0%4.4%Yale
Graduation Rate73%96%Yale
Average SAT12601540Yale
Student-Faculty Ratio19:14:1Yale
Enrollment39,97514,776-
Avg Financial Aid$13,100$57,410Yale
Starting Salary$58,400$83,200Yale
Endowment$2.2B$41.4BYale
Campus Size1,168 acres373 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

Alabama
$178,000
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
Yale
$335,600
4-year total (private)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: Alabama = $125,600 | Yale = $105,960. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

Alabama Top Majors

BusinessNursingEngineeringCommunicationBiology

Yale Top Majors

EconomicsPolitical ScienceHistoryComputer ScienceBiology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
AlabamaSuburban
YaleUrban
Campus Size
Alabama1,168 ac
Yale373 ac
Athletics
AlabamaNCAA D1
YaleNCAA D1
Region
AlabamaSouth
YaleNortheast
Founded
Alabama1831
Yale1701
Enrollment
Alabama39,975
Yale14,776

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alabama or Yale harder to get into?+
Yale is more selective with an acceptance rate of 4.4% compared to 80.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, Alabama or Yale?+
At sticker price, Alabama costs less over 4 years ($178,000 vs $335,600). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. Alabama offers an average of $13,100/year in aid while Yale offers $57,410/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for Alabama and Yale?+
The average SAT score at Alabama is 1260 and at Yale it is 1540. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do Alabama or Yale graduates earn more?+
Graduates of Yale have a higher average starting salary ($83,200 vs $58,400). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
Alabama has a 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio while Yale has 4:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do Alabama and Yale compare for campus life?+
Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (suburban setting) with a 1,168-acre campus. Yale is in New Haven, Connecticut (urban setting) with 373 acres. Alabama competes in NCAA D1 athletics and Yale in NCAA D1.