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Yale University, an esteemed member of the Ivy League, is renowned globally for its academic excellence and rich history. Founded in 1701, Yale is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States. Consistently ranked among the top universities worldwide, Yale is currently ranked 11th globally in the 2024 QS World University Rankings. The university hosts approximately 14,500 students as of 2024, including both undergraduate and graduate students, from over 120 countries worldwide, reflecting its diverse, global community.
Moreover, the university’s faculty has received 28 Nobel Prizes across various disciplines. Notably, Yale was also presented with the Andrew Carnegie Prize for Research Universities for its contributions to higher education and research innovations. Here, we highlight some of the most notable alumni of Yale who have graduated from this prestigious institute.
Top 15 Yale Notable Alumni
The graduates of Yale University have shaken the world in their own right; there are actors, politicians, and even an heir to a throne! With so many alumni to choose from, we have selected 15 notable alumni of Yale University; we have also mentioned who they are and the degrees that they have pursued to help you get a clearer picture.
1. Meryl Streep
Famous for: Hollywood Actress
Field of study: MFA
Year of graduation: Graduated with Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama in 1975
“The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy.”
One of the most popular Yale notable alumni has to be Meryl Streep! She is an American actress who has appeared in Kramer vs. Kramer, The Devil Wears Prada, and many more movies! Over her 50-year acting career, Meryl has been nominated for 21 Oscars and 32 Golden Globe Awards and has won three Oscars and eight Golden Globes! Meryl pursued a Master’s in Fine Arts at Yale School of Drama and graduated in 1975, allowing her to become one of the most famous people who went to Yale!
2. George W Bush
Famous for: 43rd US President
Field of study: BA
Year of graduation: Graduated with a B.A. in History in 1968
“One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures.”
Next on our list of Yale University notable alumni is the 43rd President of the United States of America, George W Bush. He pursued his undergraduate degree from Yale and graduated in 1948! During his college years, Bush was a part of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and went on to get elected as the President there. Not only that, but he was also the captain of the Yale baseball team and was initiated into the secret society of Yale called Skull and Bones. Moreover, George Bush has also received various honors and awards throughout his career in public service including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Ronald Reagan Freedom Award, Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, and many more. This makes George W Bush one of the famous alumni of Yale!
3. Hilary Clinton
Famous for: Former United States Secretary of State
Field of study: JD
Year of graduation: Graduated with a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 1973
“Human rights are women’s rights, and women’s rights are human rights.”
Hilary Clinton is another politician who is a renowned Yale notable alumni and was the former US Secretary of State under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2013. Hilary was part of the editorial board at the Yale Review of Law and Social Action, and she graduated in 1973 with a Juris Doctor or a Doctor of Law (JD). At Yale, she has done multiple good deeds and worked in many social causes, like taking on cases of child abuse at Yale–New Haven Hospital volunteering to provide the poor with free legal advice, and many more! Additionally, Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State, senator, and First Lady, has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her life. Namely Liberty Medal, James Madison Award for Distinguished Public Service, Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, etc. This makes Hilary Clinton a very famous Yale notable alumni.
4. David Duchovny
Famous for: Actor
Field of study: MA in English Literature
Year of graduation: Graduated with a B.A. in English Literature in 1982
“I think when you’re young, you should be a lot of things.”
If you are a fan of the show Californication or The X-Files, then you will recognize David Duchovny within a second! David Duchovny is a notable alumni of Yale as he graduated from the university with a Master’s in Arts English Literature in 1989. David is not only an actor, but he is also a writer, producer, director, musician, and author! He has only won the Golden Globe Awards for his roles in The X-Files and Californication, making him a renowned Yale notable alumni!
5. Jodie Foster
Famous for: American Actress
Field of study: BA in Literature
Year of graduation: Earned her B.A. in Literature in 1985
“Normal is not something to aspire to, it’s something to get away from.”
Jodie Foster is not only a Yale notable alumni but also the winner of 2 Oscars, 3 BAFTA Awards, and 3 Golden Globe Awards! Jodie is a famous American actress who has appeared in movies like The Accused, The Silence of the Lambs, Elysium, and many more! She graduated from Yale in 1985 with a Master’s in Literature with the highest honors as she had written her thesis on Toni Morrison, and she mainly focused on African-American literature.
6. Bill Clinton
Famous for: 42nd US President
Field of study: JD
Year of graduation: Graduated with a J.D. from Yale Law School in 1973
“There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.”
There are many renowned Yale notable alumni and Bill Clinton is one of them! He graduated from Yale in 1973 with a JD and soon went on to become the 42nd US President. During his studies at Yale, he met with Hilary Rodham, who was also pursuing her JD there, and soon both fell in love and got married. Some of the most notable recognitions of Bill Clinton include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, UNESCO Peace Prize, the Ted Kennedy Legacy Award, and many more.
7. Jordana Brewster
Famous for: Actress
Field of study: BA in English
Year of graduation: Graduated with a B.A. in English in 2003
“There’s no more powerful lesson than knowing that your setbacks will one day help you succeed.”
Known as Mia Torreto from the Fast and Furious franchise, Jordana Brewster is a famous alumnus of Yale as she graduated with a BA in English in 2003. She first appeared in the Fast and Furious movies and then took a break to complete her education at Yale. Her grandfather was the President of Yale University from 1963 to 1977, making her almost royalty at Yale! Moreover, some awards and accolades she received include Teen Choice Awards, ALMA Awards, and Soap Opera Digest Awards.
8. Charles B. Johnson
Famous for: American Billionaire Businessman
Field of study: BA
Year of graduation: Graduated with a B.A. in Economics in 1954
“Great companies are built by people who never stop thinking about ways to improve the business.”
Next on our list of Yale notable alumni is an American businessman named Charles B. Johnson. Charles is a part owner of the San Francisco Giants and is currently valued at around $6.1 billion. He pursued his Bachelor’s in Arts at Yale, and during that time, he played offensive guard for the Yale Football team and served dining hall tables as a scholarship student! He graduated in 1954 and then went on to become the CEO of Franklin Resources! Some of the famous accolades earned by this Yale famous alumni include Financial Industry Recognition, Yale University Naming, Philanthropy and Civic Contributions, etc.
9. Ben Silbermann
Famous for: Co-founder of Pinterest
Field of study: BA in Political Science
Year of graduation: Graduated with a BA in Political Science in 2003
“Don’t take too much advice. Most people who have a lot of advice to give—with a few exceptions—generalize whatever they did. Don’t overanalyze everything.”
If you love scrolling through aesthetic photos on Pinterest, then you can thank Ben Silbermann, another Yale notable alumni! Ben studied BA in Political Science at Yale and graduated in 2003. Soon, he teamed up with Evan Sharp to create the now-famous pinboard app called Pinterest and launched the app in 2010! Some notable recognitions and accolades received by this famous alumni of Yale include Webby Awards, Forbes Billionaires List, Forbes 30 Under 30 (Alumni Recognition), and many more.
10. Edward Norton
Famous for: American Actor
Field of study: BA in History
Year of graduation: Graduated with a B.A. in History in 1991
“Life, like poker, has an element of risk. It shouldn’t be avoided. It should be faced.”
The next Yale notable alumni we are going to cover is Tyler Durden (oops, spoilers!). Edward Norton is a notoriously famous American actor who has featured in movies that have been labeled classics and won awards, such as The Fight Club, Primal Fear, American History X, and many more! Norton himself has won one Golden Globe Award! He studied BA in History at Yale and also studied Japanese and he even was a competitive rower. Due to his fame, Edward Norton is easily one of the most famous alumni of Yale.
11. Joel Benjamin
Famous for: Chess Grandmaster
Field of study: Major in History
Year of graduation: Not found
“Chess is a beautiful mistress.”
Joel Benjamin, a chess grandmaster, is the next addition to our list of Yale University notable alumni! At the age of 13, Joel became the youngest chess master in the US in 1977, and then playing a bit more, he decided to take a break and went on to pursue a major in history at Yale University in 1985. After taking his break and completing his major in history, Joel went on to become a chess grandmaster in 1986, making him a famous Yale notable alumni!
12. Anderson Cooper
Famous for: Journalist
Field of study: BA in Political Science
Year of graduation: Graduated with a B.A. in Political Science in 1989
“The farther you go… the harder it is to return. The world has many edges, and it’s easy to fall off.”
Anderson Cooper is a renowned journalist and political commentator who studied at Yale University and graduated in 1989 with a BA in Political Science! During his studies at Yale, Cooper lived in Trumbull College, whereAnderson Cooper is a renowned journalist and political commentator who studied at Yale University and graduated in 1989 with a BA in Political Science! During his studies at Yale, Cooper lived in Trumbull College, where he participated in lightweight rowing and was a member of the Manuscript Society, making him a famous Yale University notable alumni. Additionally, Anderson Cooper has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career including Emmy Awards, Peabody Award for Hurricane Katrina Coverage, Edward R. Murrow Awards. he participated in lightweight rowing and was a member of the Manuscript Society, making him a famous Yale University notable alumni.
13. Gerald Ford
Famous for: 38th US President
Field of study: LLB
Year of graduation: Graduated with an LL.B. from Yale Law School in 1941
“Our long national nightmare is over.”
It is quite surprising how many US Presidents are famous alumni of Yale University! Gerald Ford was the 38th President of the United States from 1974 to 1977, and he studied Law at Yale. He was rejected by Yale the first time he applied due to coaching duties. When he joined Yale in 1938, he was promoted to the position of junior varsity head football coach and also started modeling. He was soon introduced to politics in 1940 and then graduated in the top third of his class in 1941, making him one of the famous Yale notable alumni! Some of the major awards and honors received by Gerald Ford including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Congressional Gold Medal,Navy Commendation Medal, etc.
14. Brett Kavanaugh
Famous for: Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the US
Field of study: BA in History, JD
Year of graduation: Graduated with a B.A. in History in 1987 and later earned his J.D. from Yale Law School in 1990
“I am an independent, impartial judge.”
Brett Kavanaugh is the next Yale notable alumni who not only has gotten their undergraduate degree from Yale but also their Juris Doctor! Brett Kavanaugh is a famous lawyer who was appointed as the associate justice of the Supreme Court of the US in 2018 by then-President Donald Trump; before that, Kavanaugh worked as a judge on the US Court of Appeals. He graduated from Yale in 1987 with his BA in History and soon got his JD from Yale as well in 1990! Some professional recognition and milestones garnered by this Yale famous alumni include U.S. Supreme Court Appointment, Harvard Law School Lecturer, Assistant to the President and Staff Secretary under President George W. Bush, etc.
15. Victoria
Famous for: Heir to the Swedish Throne
Field of study: Various Subjects
Year of graduation: Not found
“For me, exercise and sleep are crucial to maintaining good health and balance in life.”
It is not every day that royalty is part of a university’s notable alumni list, but for famous Yale University alumni, there is Victoria. The Crown Princess of Sweden and the Duchess of Västergötland studied at Yale during her stay in the US from 1998 to 2000, and she took part in various subjects, making her a famous Yale notable alumni!
These were a few of the most popular Yale notable alumni that are out there! With Yale’s acceptance rate of 4.6% and being one of the lowest acceptance rate universities in the USA, you can bet that the university produces some of the best talents that the world has seen! This proves why Yale is part of the Ivy League, and if you are confused as to what the Ivy League actually is, here is a guide on what Ivy Leagues are!