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List of Yale University's Notable Alumni

Updated on 15 February, 2024

Neha Uppal

Neha Uppal

Sr. Content editor

Yale University is an Ivy League research university situated in New Haven, Connecticut. Founded in 1701, it has produced many notable alumni since its inception.  

The university’s programs, both at undergraduate and graduate levels, are among the most prestigious in the world.

The university comprises 15 constituent schools: 

  • Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
  • School of Architecture
  • School of Art
  • Divinity School
  • School of Drama
  • School of Engineering & Applied Science
  • School of Forestry & Environmental Studies
  • Jackson Institute
  • Law School 
  • School of Management
  • School of Medicine
  • School of Music
  • School of Nursing
  • Physician Assistant Online Program
  • School of Public Health

Yale University offers degrees in the liberal arts, sciences, engineering, medicine, law, management, and divinity. Yale’s notable alumni network helps the students with their experiences and career advice through webinars and other events. 

Read More: List of Ivy League Schools 

Notable Alumni from Yale University

Here's a table highlighting the number of notable scholars, laureates, and fellows Yale has, so far, produced:

Nobel Laureates

65 (till 2023)

MacArthur Fellows

71 (1989-2022)

Marshall Scholars

18 (2014-2022)

Rhodes Scholars

263 (1904 – 2023)

Note: The numbers above may change over time as new awards and honors are constantly updated each year

List of Famous Yale Alumni and Their Contributions to Different Fields

Here, we have put together a list of Yale University's famous graduates, arranged on the basis of their popularity in different areas of life:

Indra Nooyi

Indra Nooyi was born in India and received her undergraduate degree from Madras Christian College. She then went on to earn her MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta. Nooyi moved to the United States in 1978 to attend the Yale School of Management, where she obtained a master's degree in public and private management in 1980.

Indra Nooyi served as the CEO of PepsiCo from 2006 to 2018. She was also named on Fortune magazine's list of the World's Most Powerful Women four times. 

During her time at PepsiCo, Nooyi oversaw the company's transformation into a global food and beverage powerhouse. She led the acquisition of Quaker Oats, Tropicana, and Gatorade, which helped to solidify PepsiCo's position as a leader in the food and beverage industry. Under her leadership, PepsiCo also expanded its operations into new markets such as China and India.

Nooyi retired from PepsiCo in 2018. She remains a director on the board of directors for Schlumberger Limited and is a member of the boards of directors for Amazon.com and Microsoft Corporation.

Urjit Patel

Urjit Patel is an Indian economist who served as the 24th Governor of the RBI (Reserve Bank of India). He was previously the Deputy Governor of the RBI and did outstanding work to combat inflation in India.

Patel graduated from the London School of Economics in 1984. He also has an M.Phil. from the University of Oxford in 1986 and a PhD in Economics from Yale University in 1990.

The International Monetary Fund hired him after he earned his PhD in 1991. The Indian government has appointed him to a number of key roles during his tenure, both at the state and national levels. His tenure was marked by the implementation of the demonetization of the 1000 and 500 rupee notes, which was a significant step toward the fight against corruption.

Ashish Dhawan

Ashish Dhawan is an Indian billionaire businessman, philanthropist, and investor. He is the co-founder and chairman of Central Square Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to improve education in India.

He also founded The Convergence Foundation (TCF), which is devoted to accelerating India's economic development and growth. Ashish is also the Founder and Chairperson of Ashoka University.

Dhawan was born in New Delhi, India, in 1969. He acquired a bachelor's degree in economics from Yale University in 1988. He then received a master's degree in business administration from Harvard Business School in 1995.

Sachin Garg

Sachin Garg is an entrepreneur and a global professional with a wealth of experience. Throughout his career, he has worked in a wide variety of companies worldwide, from startups to some of the leading internet companies.

With over twenty years of experience in Business and Product Management, Strategy Product Management, Technology, General Management, and Growth, Analytics, he brings to the table a wide range of skills and knowledge. He has worked on a variety of business models, including B2C, B2B, web, and mobile.

Sachin graduated from the Delhi School of Engineering (DSE) and went to Yale University to complete his Master's in business administration in 2006-2008.

George W. Bush

George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the US, graduated from Yale University in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. 

In 1994, he ran for and was elected Governor of Texas. He was reelected Governor in 1998. In 2004, he ran for President of the United States and was elected by a margin of just over 500 votes in the Electoral College. After the September 11th attacks in 2001, President Bush led the country through the War on Terror, which included the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. He left office in 2009 with an approval rating of 22%.

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep is one of the most successful and acclaimed actresses of all time. She has won three Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and five Emmy Awards. She has also been nominated for a Tony Award and a BAFTA Award.

Streep was born in Summit, New Jersey, and grew up in Bernardsville. She attended Yale University, where she studied MFA with Robert Brustein. She graduated from Yale in 1975 with a Master of Fine Arts degree.

Ben Silbermann

Ben Silbermann is an American Internet entrepreneur who is the co-founder and CEO of Pinterest, a social media website. He graduated from Yale University in 2005 with a degree in economics and mathematics.

Today, Pinterest is ranked one of the most visited websites in the US and has millions of users around the world. Silbermann was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2012.

Recommended Article: How to get into Ivy League Colleges

Conclusion

It is clear that Yale University has a long history of producing some of the world's most influential individuals. With so many notable Indian and international alumni, it is no surprise that Yale remains one of the top universities in the country. From presidents and politicians to Nobel Prize winners and actors, there is no shortage of inspiring examples to strive for when attending this esteemed institution.

FAQs

What is Yale University famous for?

The drama and music programs at Yale University are well known for their excellence. Apart from these programs, various student groups, such as the Yale Dramatic Association and Yale Whiffenpoofs, are well known for their ‘a cappella’ performances (singing performances without an instrument involved).

Does Yale University have a difficult admissions process?

Yale University's admission process follows a stringent route or procedure, leaving only the best candidates getting admission to the university. The university has an acceptance rate of about 4.62%.

Does Yale require a certain GPA?

Your GPA should also be at least 4.14. A lower GPA requires a higher SAT/ACT score. A selective school like Yale requires you to impress them with your entire application.

Neha Uppal

Sr. Content editor

Neha Uppal is a passionate content creator and editor. She carries 7.5+ years of experience working with leading edutech companies where she worked as a Faculty, Community Manager, and Content Marketeer. At upGrad, she is helping out people keep informed about the scopes and opportunities of studying abroad via informational articles/blogs.

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