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Princeton University

Princeton University is a private campus in Princeton proper — federal locale codes class it as urban. International students are a visible presence at Princeton University — 12.6% of its 5,709 undergraduates come from outside the U.S.

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What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$2,518

family income
under $30k

$4,682

$30–48k

$7,652

$48–75k

$13,849

$75–110k

$39,943

over $110k

Average net price

$6,1282023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Princeton University fell from $8,136 (2008) to $6,128 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$8,136
2009	$9,214
2010	$10,326
2011	$12,860
2012	$8,413
2013	$7,103
2014	$8,848
2015	$10,256
2016	$10,027
2017	$9,749
2018	$11,317
2019	$9,836
2020	$11,080
2021	$8,143
2022	$10,555
2023	$6,128

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$84,0402024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Princeton University rose from $49,830 (2009) to $84,040 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$49,830
2010	$51,260
2011	$52,715
2012	$53,934
2013	$55,430
2014	$57,400
2015	$59,665
2016	$61,860
2017	$64,390
2018	$66,950
2019	$70,900
2020	$74,150
2021	$68,044
2022	$78,490
2023	$80,440
2024	$84,040

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition & fees

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

Tuition & fees — data
Year	Tuition & fees
2000	$25,430
2001	$26,160
2002	$27,230
2003	$28,540
2004	$29,910
2005	$31,450
2006	$33,000
2007	$33,000
2008	$34,290
2013	$40,170
2014	$41,820
2015	$43,450
2016	$45,320
2017	$47,140
2018	$50,340
2019	$52,800
2020	$48,502
2021	$56,010
2022	$57,410
2023	$59,710

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Reported tuition is $62,688 before grants and other attendance costs. At Princeton University, aid and other costs change the bill. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

At 5,709 undergrads, Princeton University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.

97.6% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Princeton University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

97.6%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Princeton University has held near 97.6% from Fall 1991 to Fall 2018 entering cohorts.

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	95.8%
1992 cohort	95.2%
1993 cohort	96%
1994 cohort	96.6%
1995 cohort	97.2%
1996 cohort	97.2%
1997 cohort	96.5%
1998 cohort	96.7%
1999 cohort	97%
2000 cohort	96.5%
2001 cohort	95.1%
2002 cohort	96%
2003 cohort	96.7%
2004 cohort	95.7%
2005 cohort	95.5%
2006 cohort	96%
2007 cohort	96.9%
2008 cohort	96.8%
2009 cohort	96.8%
2010 cohort	97.5%
2011 cohort	97.3%
2012 cohort	96.4%
2013 cohort	97.9%
2014 cohort	98%
2015 cohort	97.6%
2016 cohort	97.5%
2017 cohort	97.1%
2018 cohort	97.6%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$11,695	$2,625
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$11,840	$2,875
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$11,840	$5,025
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$11,185	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$8,790	$4,000
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$6,090	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$3,685	$2,805
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$2,625	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$5,500	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$5,500	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$6,125	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$7,500	$4,360
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$7,500	$3,860
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$7,500	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$8,000	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$8,738	$5,308
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$8,674	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$7,500	$3,546
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$7,500	$3,750
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$7,500	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$9,850	$6,750
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$10,750	$6,001
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$10,450	$8,125
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$10,320	$7,250

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$87,815

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$112,152

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$110,066

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Princeton University admitted 1,868 of 40,468 applicants in Fall 2024. The 4.6% rate describes that application pool.

4.6%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $59,710 tuition · 2023–24 5,709 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1510–15801600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Princeton University received 40,468 applications and admitted 1,868 (4.6%), with 1,410 enrolling.

Princeton University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Princeton University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 740–780 and Math was 770–800 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1510–1580 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	740	760	780
SAT Math	770	790	800
ACT Composite	34	35	35

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

Acceptance rate

4.6%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Read Princeton University's change from 12.4% to 4.6% as a share of applications, not an explanation of admissions decisions. This describes Fall 2001 to Fall 2024.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	12.4%
Fall 2002	11.7%
Fall 2003	10.2%
Fall 2004	12.7%
Fall 2005	10.9%
Fall 2006	10.2%
Fall 2007	9.7%
Fall 2008	9.9%
Fall 2009	10.1%
Fall 2010	8.8%
Fall 2011	8.5%
Fall 2012	7.8%
Fall 2013	7.4%
Fall 2014	7.4%
Fall 2015	7.1%
Fall 2016	6.5%
Fall 2017	6.4%
Fall 2018	5.5%
Fall 2019	5.8%
Fall 2020	5.6%
Fall 2021	4.4%
Fall 2022	5.7%
Fall 2023	4.5%
Fall 2024	4.6%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1510–1580Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	1350	1540
Fall 2002	1380	1563
Fall 2003	1370	1560
Fall 2004	1390	1570
Fall 2005	1390	1570
Fall 2006	1370	1590
Fall 2007	1390	1580
Fall 2008	1390	1580
Fall 2009	1390	1580
Fall 2010	1400	1580
Fall 2011	1410	1590
Fall 2012	1410	1590
Fall 2013	1410	1600
Fall 2014	1400	1600
Fall 2015	1390	1590
Fall 2016	1400	1590
Fall 2017	1430	1570
Fall 2018	1440	1570
Fall 2019	1460	1570
Fall 2020	1450	1570
Fall 2021	1460	1570
Fall 2022	1500	1580
Fall 2023	1500	1580
Fall 2024	1510	1580

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

34–35Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2006	30	34
Fall 2007	30	34
Fall 2008	31	34
Fall 2009	31	35
Fall 2010	31	35
Fall 2011	31	34
Fall 2012	31	35
Fall 2013	31	35
Fall 2014	31	35
Fall 2015	32	35
Fall 2016	32	35
Fall 2017	31	35
Fall 2018	32	35
Fall 2019	33	35
Fall 2020	32	35
Fall 2021	33	35
Fall 2022	34	35
Fall 2023	34	35
Fall 2024	34	35

IPEDS Fall 2006–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

5,709Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Princeton University rose from 4,635 (Fall 2002) to 5,709 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	4,635
Fall 2003	4,676
Fall 2004	4,678
Fall 2005	4,719
Fall 2006	4,775
Fall 2007	4,833
Fall 2008	4,878
Fall 2009	5,029
Fall 2010	5,142
Fall 2011	5,160
Fall 2012	5,255
Fall 2013	5,234
Fall 2014	5,258
Fall 2015	5,260
Fall 2016	5,236
Fall 2017	5,246
Fall 2018	5,301
Fall 2019	5,308
Fall 2020	4,688
Fall 2021	5,236
Fall 2022	5,527
Fall 2023	5,579
Fall 2024	5,709

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

98%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Princeton University has held near 98% from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	98%
Fall 2003 cohort	98%
Fall 2004 cohort	98%
Fall 2005 cohort	98%
Fall 2006 cohort	97%
Fall 2007 cohort	98%
Fall 2008 cohort	98%
Fall 2009 cohort	99%
Fall 2010 cohort	98%
Fall 2011 cohort	98%
Fall 2012 cohort	98%
Fall 2013 cohort	98%
Fall 2014 cohort	98%
Fall 2015 cohort	98%
Fall 2016 cohort	98%
Fall 2017 cohort	98%
Fall 2018 cohort	98%
Fall 2019 cohort	83%
Fall 2020 cohort	96%
Fall 2021 cohort	97%
Fall 2022 cohort	97%
Fall 2023 cohort	98%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about Princeton University

19.2% of Princeton University's undergraduates carry Pell grants — the standard federal marker of lower-income enrollment. Carnegie classes Princeton University as a primarily residential campus of 5,709 undergraduates — and 98.4% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Princeton University's SAT section-percentile sums are 1510–1580 — their midpoint is above the NJ four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Princeton University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Princeton University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Princeton University4.6%

New Jersey median73.3%

National median76.8%

Tuition

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Princeton University$62,688

New Jersey median$17,014

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Princeton University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Princeton University$110,066

New Jersey median$58,902

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Princeton University, New Jersey and national reference values
Metric & basis	Princeton University	New Jersey median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	4.6%	73.3%	76.8%
TuitionScorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$62,688	$17,014	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$110,066	$58,902	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Princeton University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Princeton University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 10 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Computer Science	$217,973
Computer Engineering	$214,274
Economics	$160,763
Mechanical Engineering	$115,927
Public Policy Analysis	$107,792
Political Science and Government	$88,576
History	$80,347
Research and Experimental Psychology	$63,216
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology	$62,344
English Language and Literature, General	$61,323

These 10 fields listed for Princeton University measure earnings after completion. The $110,066 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 27 additional Princeton University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Princeton University report?

Princeton University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1510–1580 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Princeton University's acceptance rate?

4.6% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 1,868 admitted from 40,468 applicants.

How much does Princeton University cost?

At Princeton University, tuition is $62,688. Tuition is not the total cost of attendance; aid can reduce your bill.

What earnings data does Princeton University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $110,066. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in New Jersey

Rabbinical College of America — 95.1% admitted
Ramapo College of New Jersey — 70.6% admitted
Rider University — 78.6% admitted
Rutgers University-Camden — 66.3% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.