The Yield Gap: LACs vs. Research Universities
Research universities steadily gained yield over the past decade while liberal arts colleges lost ground
Research Universities
46% → 55%
+10 points since 2015
Liberal Arts Colleges
35% → 33%
−1 point since 2015
Gap
11 → 22 pts
Doubled in a decade
Source: IPEDS admissions data for ~113 selective colleges. LACs defined as small, undergraduate-focused residential colleges (n=43). Research universities include Ivies, major research institutions, and large selective schools (n=33). Yield = enrolled ÷ admitted.