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University of Virginia vs Yale University

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

16.3% UVA acceptance
4.4% Yale acceptance
$54,816 UVA cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

UVA
Charlottesville, Virginia
Public
Founded
1819
Enrollment
26,082
Setting
Suburban
Yale
New Haven, Connecticut
Private
Founded
1701
Enrollment
14,776
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition UVA saves $8,786
UVA
$55,914
Yale
$64,700
Acceptance Rate Yale more selective
UVA
16.3%
Yale
4.4%
Graduation Rate Yale higher
UVA
94%
Yale
96%
Avg SAT Score Yale higher
UVA
1440
Yale
1540
Starting Salary Yale higher
UVA
$71,500
Yale
$83,200

Detailed Comparison

Metric UVA Yale Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$55,914$64,700UVA
Tuition (In-State)$20,342$64,700UVA
Room & Board$14,282$19,200UVA
Acceptance Rate16.3%4.4%Yale
Graduation Rate94%96%Yale
Average SAT14401540Yale
Student-Faculty Ratio15:14:1Yale
Enrollment26,08214,776-
Avg Financial Aid$21,700$57,410Yale
Starting Salary$71,500$83,200Yale
Endowment$14.5B$41.4BYale
Campus Size1,682 acres373 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

UVA
$280,784
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
Yale
$335,600
4-year total (private)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: UVA = $193,984 | Yale = $105,960. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

UVA Top Majors

EconomicsBusinessComputer ScienceBiologyPsychology

Yale Top Majors

EconomicsPolitical ScienceHistoryComputer ScienceBiology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
UVASuburban
YaleUrban
Campus Size
UVA1,682 ac
Yale373 ac
Athletics
UVANCAA D1
YaleNCAA D1
Region
UVASouth
YaleNortheast
Founded
UVA1819
Yale1701
Enrollment
UVA26,082
Yale14,776

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is UVA or Yale harder to get into?+
Yale is more selective with an acceptance rate of 4.4% compared to 16.3%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, UVA or Yale?+
At sticker price, UVA costs less over 4 years ($280,784 vs $335,600). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. UVA offers an average of $21,700/year in aid while Yale offers $57,410/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for UVA and Yale?+
The average SAT score at UVA is 1440 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 UVA or Yale graduates earn more?+
Graduates of Yale have a higher average starting salary ($83,200 vs $71,500). 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?+
UVA has a 15:1 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 UVA and Yale compare for campus life?+
UVA is located in Charlottesville, Virginia (suburban setting) with a 1,682-acre campus. Yale is in New Haven, Connecticut (urban setting) with 373 acres. UVA competes in NCAA D1 athletics and Yale in NCAA D1.