Princeton University
Princeton University has an acceptance rate of 4.6%, an average net price of $7,815, and an overall rank of #5 (Grade A+). About 97.4% of students graduate within 150% of normal time, and median earnings are $111,260 five years after graduation. Data from the U.S. Department of Education and EDsmart's 2026 rankings.
Princeton University is a private nonprofit university in Princeton, NJ. Students most often pursue Computer Engineering and Computer Science.
Day to day, students benefit from a 5:1 student-faculty ratio, and 98.4% first-year retention. Coaches and faculty advisors weave in frequent check-ins, helping students translate ambition into steady progress.
EDsmart calculates return on investment at 316.1%, roughly 266.2 points higher than typical outcomes. It's well-suited to ambitious students who thrive in an elite, research-powered setting and career-focused learners aiming for high-impact outcomes.
Who is Princeton University Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
Princeton University graduates 97.4% of students within 150% of normal time (the completion rate used in EDsmart rankings), with an 8-year award rate of 97.7% and keeps 98.4% of first-year students. Affordability earns a B+ compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use Princeton University's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Est. annual aid gap: $80,073 Cash cost of attendance minus average net price after aid.
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $65,510 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,050 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $21,170 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $3,950 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $87,888 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 24.0% of Princeton University students receive Pell Grants — below the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Low-income families pay less than $795 annually, while high-income families pay $38,927. Use Princeton University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $4,761/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $38,927/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- Median Earnings (5 Years After Graduation) $111,260
- 10-Year Median Earnings $133,523
- Average Years to Graduate 4.5 years
- Average Student Debt $12,400
- Debt-to-Earnings ~11.1%
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 86.4%
- Employment Rate 91.6%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for Princeton University graduates about 10 years after enrollment (25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile). Different horizon than median earnings five years after graduation above.
Princeton University vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how Princeton University's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes Princeton University's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading 740-780
- SAT Math 770-800
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite 34-35
- SAT & ACT Required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 5,709
- Full-Time Students 100.0%
- Part-Time Students 0.0%
- Retention Rate 98.4%
- Grad Rate (150% time) 97.4%
- Grad Rate (8-year) 97.7%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 5:1
How to Get Into Princeton University
1. Meet Academic Requirements: Princeton University requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 4.6%, Princeton University is extremely selective. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: With a 4.6% acceptance rate, Princeton University is extremely selective. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their class. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1510 and 1580 on the SAT.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among Princeton University undergraduates. Computer Science, Economics, and Public Policy Analysis draw the most students.
- Computer Science 12.5%
- Economics 9.9%
- Public Policy Analysis 8.5%
- History 5.8%
- Political Science and Government 5.5%
- Operations Research 5.4%
See more majors
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology 4.4%
- Mechanical Engineering 4.1%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
- 1. Computer Engineering $243,825
- 2. Computer Science $146,624
- 3. Economics $103,041
Show additional high-earning majors
- 4. Operations Research $100,354
- 5. Public Policy Analysis $98,995
- 6. Political Science and Government $94,020
- 7. Mechanical Engineering $85,328
- 8. Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology $53,038
- 9. Research and Experimental Psychology $47,050
- 10. History $45,363
Graduate Programs (Master's, Doctoral, Professional)
- 1. Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degree) $112,516
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Computer Engineering grads earn $243,825—437% more than History ($45,363). Graduate: Public Policy Analysis programs lead with $112,516 median earnings. Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
U.S. Department of Education data reports fully online programs for Princeton University. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Computer Science (Bachelor's Degree, 201 graduates)
- Economics (Bachelor's Degree, 132 graduates)
- Public Policy Analysis (Bachelor's Degree, 114 graduates)
- Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degree, 100 graduates)
- Operations Research (Bachelor's Degree, 77 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
U.S. Department of Education data flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (36 programs)▼
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Public Policy Analysis
- Operations Research
- History
- Political Science and Government
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Research and Experimental Psychology
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mathematics
- Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
- Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
- Sociology
- Physics
- English Language and Literature, General
- Civil Engineering
- Anthropology
- Chemistry
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences
- Philosophy
- Chemical Engineering
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Area Studies
- Music
- Architecture
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
- Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
- Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
- Engineering, General
Online Master's Degrees (39 programs)▼
- Public Policy Analysis
- Computer Science
- Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Applied Mathematics
- Architectural Sciences and Technology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- History
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Economics
- Mathematics
- Civil Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Political Science and Government
- Architecture
- Sociology
- Research and Experimental Psychology
- Operations Research
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
- English Language and Literature, General
- Anthropology
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences
- Music
- Area Studies
- Philosophy
- Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
- Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Demography
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
Online Doctoral Degrees (40 programs)▼
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Economics
- History
- Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Physics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Political Science and Government
- Mathematics
- Chemical Engineering
- Area Studies
- Operations Research
- Civil Engineering
- Sociology
- Music
- English Language and Literature, General
- Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
- Applied Mathematics
- Anthropology
- Philosophy
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
- Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
- Research and Experimental Psychology
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Architecture
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
- Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Public Policy Analysis
- Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Demography
- Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Engineering Physics
- Biological/Biosystems Engineering
Online Undergraduate Certificates & Diplomas (1 program)▼
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 5,709
- Full-Time Students 100.0%
- Part-Time Students 0.0%
- Male Students 49.6%
- Female Students 50.4%
- Caucasian 33.7%
- Asian 23.4%
- Hispanic 10.1%
- Black 8.7%
- Pell Grant Recipients 24.0%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects Princeton University's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of Princeton University's undergraduate population. The university maintains a roughly balanced gender distribution across its student body.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Princeton University support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at nearly the same rate as higher-income students, indicating strong institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Princeton University, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: Princeton University has a diverse student body, with 33.7% identifying as White. About 24.0% receive Pell Grants, below the national average of 38%, suggesting a wealthier student body or generous institutional aid.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Princeton University support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at nearly the same rate as higher-income students, indicating strong institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Princeton University, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
Princeton University stands among the nation's most elite, delivering a 0.0% ROI outperforming 1934 of 1934 institutions in our analysis.
The institution achieves 72.8% four-year completion and a 97.4% graduation rate within 150% of normal time and maintains 98.4% first-year retention. However, the competitive $7,815 annual net price enhances accessibility. Post-graduation median earnings of $111,260 reflect strong career outcomes typical of selective institutions.
Value Analysis: Is Princeton University Worth It?
Ranking #5 of 1934, Princeton University delivers a A+ overall grade with 99.8/100 on EDsmart's national index (0–100 vs. all ranked schools; not a raw point total).
For High-Achieving Students: Applicants pursuing careers where institutional prestige and professional networks drive opportunities—such as finance, consulting, law, and academia—benefit most from Princeton University's brand value and alumni connections. The school's reputation provides career acceleration that may justify the premium cost for specific fields.
Financial Aid Recipients: Students receiving substantial need-based aid (bringing actual costs below $3,908 annually) access elite education at a competitive price point. Pell-eligible students often pay less here than at many public universities.
Alternative Considerations: Students in fields where skills and credentials matter more than brand name—particularly STEM, healthcare, and technical fields—should compare outcomes against public research universities offering similar education at 40-60% lower cost. Our data shows 0 institutions deliver superior ROI metrics.
Bottom Line: Princeton University excels in reputation and student experience, reflected in its 98.4% retention rate. However, value-conscious students should weigh the $7,815 annual investment against 0 alternatives offering stronger financial returns. The "best" choice depends on your field, financial situation, and career goals—not rankings alone.
Key Takeaways
- 97.4% graduation rate sits 34.9 points above the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 98.4% first-year retention is 21.6 points above the national norm of 76.8%.
- Median earnings of $111,260 run about 81% higher than national outcomes five years after graduation.
- Average net price of $7,815 is roughly $12,092 lower than the national median of $19,908.
- 91.6% employment rate within three years is 23.4 points above the national 68.2%.
Helpfulness for Students
- 5:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 98.4% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 91.6% employment rate within three years sits 23.4 points above national outcomes.
- Pell participation at 24.0% trails the national share by 14.6 points, so equity work remains important.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
Princeton University, a private nonprofit university in Princeton, NJ, secures a A+ grade in our latest review. It stands at #5 among 1934 schools Grades by category break down as Completion A+, Support A, Career Outcomes A, and Affordability B+.
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
About 98.4% of first-year students return; 97.4% graduate within 150% of normal time, with an 8-year award rate of 97.7%. Review the cost and aid tables for a full picture of value.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $7,815 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $87,888.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $80,073 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $12,400 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 24.0% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Five years after graduation, alumni earn roughly $111,260 at the median. This is roughly 81% above typical U.S. college outcomes.
Employment outcomes report about 91.6% of alumni working within three years.
Use the ROI table above to estimate how long it may take to recoup your degree costs.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
4.6% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the Princeton University admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
Cite this profile
Add your access date when you publish.
APA (7th): EDsmart. (2026). Princeton University: Tuition, Outcomes & Rankings. https://www.edsmart.org/schools/princeton-university/
MLA (9th): “Princeton University: Tuition, Outcomes & Rankings.” EDsmart, 2026, www.edsmart.org/schools/princeton-university/.
Chicago: EDsmart. “Princeton University: Tuition, Outcomes & Rankings.” https://www.edsmart.org/schools/princeton-university/.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Princeton University's acceptance rate?
Princeton University's acceptance rate is 4.6%, based on U.S. Department of Education admissions data.
How much does Princeton University cost?
At Princeton University, listed tuition and fees are $65,510 per year, and the average net price after aid is $7,815. Use the net price calculator on this page for a personalized estimate.
What is Princeton University's ranking?
Princeton University ranks #5 overall in EDsmart's 2026 college rankings with an overall grade of A+, based on completion, affordability, support, and career outcomes.
What is Princeton University's graduation rate?
At Princeton University, the graduation rate within 150% of normal time is 97.4% (the rate used in EDsmart rankings), the federal 8-year award rate is 97.7%, and first-year retention is 98.4%.
What are Princeton University's job outcomes?
Graduates of Princeton University report median earnings of $111,260 five years after graduation, according to U.S. Department of Education outcome data. Outcomes vary by major.
What is Princeton University's student population?
Princeton University enrolls about 5,709 undergraduate students, per U.S. Department of Education enrollment data.
Contact Information
- Address 1 Nassau Hall, Princeton, NJ 08544-0070
- Website www.princeton.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationMiddle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
- Endowment$33.38B
- Transfer Enrollment Rate0.3%