New Haven, CT · Private University
Is Yale University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$100,533
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$64,700
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$64,700
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$258,800
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.55x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
96.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$12,975
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$27,818
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Yale University graduates earn $55,533 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Yale University ranked by graduate earnings
40 graduates
88 graduates
28 graduates
93 graduates
51 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Yale University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Yale University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer and Information Sciences, General: $203,685) and the lowest (Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies: $32,624) is $171,061/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBest ROI | $203,685 | 3.1x |
| Economics | $125,006 | 1.9x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $104,899 | 1.6x |
| Political Science and Government | $98,467 | 1.5x |
| History | $77,988 | 1.2x |
| Engineering Science(1yr data) | $73,378 | 1.1x |
| Area Studies | $62,139 | 1.0x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities(1yr data) | $61,133 | 0.9x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $60,462 | 0.9x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology(1yr data) | $47,874 | 0.7x |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences(1yr data) | $40,299 | 0.6x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research(1yr data) | $32,909 | 0.5x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesLowest(1yr data) | $32,624 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yale University | 1.55x | $100,533 | Good ROI |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | 1.48x | $102,491 | Average ROI |
| Brown University | 1.37x | $93,487 | Average ROI |
| Harvard University | 1.72x | $101,817 | Good ROI |
| Dartmouth College | 1.48x | $97,434 | Average ROI |
| Princeton University | 1.84x | $110,066 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
Yale University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $100,533 10 years after starting — $55,533 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.9 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.