Is Yale more selective than Rutgers University?

Yes. Yale is substantially more selective than Rutgers University overall: Yale admits a very small share of applicants and evaluates applicants in an extremely competitive national and international pool, while Rutgers enrolls a much larger undergraduate class across multiple New Jersey campuses.

Successful applicants typically present exceptional academic preparation alongside unusually strong distinction, intellectual engagement, leadership, artistic talent, research, service, or other meaningful contributions. Meeting Yale’s academic expectations alone does not make admission likely.

Rutgers is a large public research university with distinct admissions processes and levels of competitiveness at campuses such as New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden. However, Rutgers’ broader size, public mission, and range of programs mean that admission overall is less restrictive than at Yale.

For practical planning, treat Yale as a high reach for every applicant, including students with top grades and rigorous coursework. Rutgers can range from a realistic target to a reach depending on the campus, school, intended major, residency, academic record, and program requirements.