Yale-NUS College
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.25
- Size
- N/A
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- N/A
- Setting
- N/A
- Graduation Rate
- N/A
- Retention Rate
- N/A
- Tuition (In-State)
- N/A
- Tuition (Int'l)
- N/A
Student Life & Environment
Residential community formed the heart of Yale-NUS student experience, with all undergraduates living on campus throughout their four years. The purpose-built campus included residential colleges that mixed students across years, creating vertical communities where seniors mentored freshmen. Shared dining, common rooms, and organized activities built relationships extending beyond academic interactions. Student organizations spanned performing arts, community service, cultural groups, publications, and athletics, with students often founding new organizations to match emerging interests. The college's small size meant individual students could exercise significant influence, with leadership opportunities accessible regardless of background or experience. Singapore's multicultural character shaped campus life, with Chinese, Malay, Indian, and international students creating diverse community. The working language was English, though multiple Asian languages were commonly heard across campus. Religious and cultural events throughout the year reflected this diversity, while shared residential life built connections across difference. The intensity of the liberal arts curriculum created demanding academic workloads, with substantial reading and writing expectations throughout. The small community meant limited anonymity, with strong relationships but also potential for social pressure. Singapore's orderly environment and excellent public services simplified daily life while limiting some freedoms common in other university settings.
Location & Surroundings
Yale-NUS College occupied a purpose-built campus in Singapore's Buona Vista area, near the main NUS campus and one-north technology hub. The campus featured contemporary architecture designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli and Forum Architects, with residential colleges, academic buildings, and green spaces creating an intimate community within Singapore's urban fabric. Singapore's position at the crossroads of Asia provides extraordinary access to diverse cultures within short travel distances. Weekend trips to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and beyond expand educational experiences, while Singapore itself showcases Chinese, Malay, Indian, and global influences. The city's safety, cleanliness, and efficiency create comfortable living conditions while raising questions about traded freedoms that themselves became educational topics. Climate in Singapore is tropical year-round, with consistent temperatures around 30-32C and high humidity. Heavy rainfall occurs regularly but usually in brief afternoon showers. Air conditioning is ubiquitous in buildings, making indoor spaces comfortable. Outdoor activities require adaptation to heat and humidity. Cost of living in Singapore is high by global standards, though the residential campus model included housing and meals in fees, simplifying student budgets. Public transportation is excellent and affordable, with MRT lines connecting the campus to all parts of the island. Changi Airport provides outstanding international connections throughout Asia and beyond. The campus location near one-north positioned students near technology companies, research institutes, and startup incubators, providing internship and career connections. Singapore's role as a regional business hub ensured exposure to global corporate operations.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Yale-NUS tuition and residential fees totaled approximately SGD 60,000-70,000 annually, with substantial financial aid available based on demonstrated need. Singapore government subsidies reduced costs for citizens and permanent residents, while international students often received institutional grants. The commitment to need-blind admission and full need-based aid ensured that finances did not prevent qualified students from attending. Financial aid packages covered tuition, housing, meals, and incidental expenses as appropriate to family circumstances. Work-study opportunities provided additional support while building workplace experience. The residential model simplified budgeting by bundling major expenses, with personal spending the primary variable. Career outcomes for Yale-NUS graduates reflected the liberal arts emphasis on adaptable skills rather than narrow preparation for specific occupations. Alumni entered diverse fields including consulting, finance, technology, non-profit work, education, and government. Graduate school admission to top programs worldwide demonstrated preparation for advanced study. The small class size complicated statistical employment reporting, but placement outcomes appeared strong. The Yale-NUS credential combined Yale's global recognition with NUS's Asian prominence, opening doors in both contexts. Alumni networks spanning cohorts and locations provided career connections. The unique positioning as Asia's liberal arts pioneer created distinctive value for employers seeking broad thinkers with Asian cultural fluency. Starting salaries varied dramatically by sector and location, with Singapore-based positions typically paying SGD 40,000-60,000 for entry-level roles in corporate settings. Non-profit and public sector positions offered lower compensation but different rewards. The investment return must be measured broadly, including career flexibility, intellectual development, and network value alongside immediate earnings.
Campus Location
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