The cost of attendance at Connecticut’s only Ivy League university is set to rise, as Yale University administrators have announced new tuition rates for the 2025-26 school year.
According to a February announcement, tuition at Yale College will increase by 3.9% for the next academic year. This change raises the total undergraduate cost of attendance from $87,150 to $90,550, including tuition, housing, and meals.
For the 2025-26 academic year, Yale’s tuition will be $69,900, while housing and meal costs for students living on campus will be $20,650. This marks a continued trend of rising education expenses at one of the nation’s most prestigious institutions.
Expanding class size alongside tuition hike
The tuition increase comes just months before college decision day and follows a separate announcement regarding Yale’s undergraduate class size expansion. Starting with the incoming class of 2029 this fall, Yale will increase its undergraduate enrollment by 100 students per year.
Jeremiah Quinlan, Yale’s dean of undergraduate admissions and financial aid, reaffirmed the university’s dedication to affordability despite the tuition hike. “Yale College’s extraordinary financial aid policies are at the cornerstone of delivering its mission,” Quinlan said in the release. “Our decades-long commitment to admitting all students regardless of their financial need, and meeting 100% of that need, has made Yale College more diverse and more excellent. Maintaining that commitment as we increase the class size will ensure that costs will not be a barrier for the world’s most promising students.”
Yale among the most expensive universities
The cost increase places Yale among the most expensive universities in the country. According to U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of highest college tuitions for the 2024-25 school year, Yale is ranked No. 20 nationally in terms of tuition costs. The national average tuition cost is $47,890, making Yale’s new tuition rate of $69,900 significantly higher than average.
However, Yale is still not the most expensive Ivy League school. Columbia University has consistently held the top spot among Ivy League institutions, with a total cost of attendance reaching $93,417 for the 2024-25 academic year. Meanwhile, Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania follow closely behind Yale in tuition and fees.
Commitment to financial aid
Despite the tuition hike and class size expansion, Yale administrators emphasize that the university remains committed to robust financial aid support. Kari DiFonzo, director of undergraduate financial aid, assured students and families that those who receive Yale scholarship grants will see their financial aid packages increase accordingly. “If a family’s financial circumstances stay the same, their net cost will stay the same,” DiFonzo stated.
Currently, 55% of Yale College students receive need-based financial aid. The average Yale grant is nearly $68,000, and families earning less than $75,000 per year are not expected to contribute toward their child’s education costs. This policy aims to ensure that students from diverse financial backgrounds continue to have access to a Yale education despite rising tuition rates.
