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Princeton University is a private national university located in Princeton, New Jersey. Princeton University is extremely selective in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Princeton University is in the top 5% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $95,689 10 years after enrolling, 2nd in New Jersey, and in the top 5% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Princeton University bachelor students earn 28% more than the national average. Princeton University is ranked 1st in New Jersey.
Princeton University’s median net annual cost of $9,836 and average years to graduate of 4.2 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Princeton University sorted by number of graduates - Public Policy Analysis, Economics, Poli Sci/Government, History, Mechanical Engineering, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$9,836
Average years to graduate
4.2
Chemical Engineering
Rank: #22
Economic score: 1.17
English Language & Lit
Rank: #7
Economic score: 1.36
Sociology
Rank: #12
Economic score: 1.72
Ecology & Evolution
Rank: #2
Economic score: 2.46
Research&Experimental Psych
Rank: #12
Economic score: 4.63
The average student at Princeton University takes 4.2 years to graduate, with 98% graduating within 8 years. The graduation rate at Princeton University is 29% more than the state average and 30% more than the average for all national universities in the country.
At Princeton University, Pell Grant recipients represent 22% of the measured graduating class, 13% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Princeton University graduates within 4.2 years.
Princeton University is in the top 50% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Princeton University’s economic mobility score of 21.81 is calculated by adjusting the 0.1 economic score of lower-income students by the 22% pell grant recipients within the student body. Princeton University’s EMS of 21.81 ranks in the top 25% nationally.
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 25%
The average Title IV recipient at Princeton University pays $9,836 a year, $58,208 less than the $68,044 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $9,836
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Princeton University, 65% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $9,836 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 4% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $7,216. This is 50% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$5,278
Pell grants
$5,142
State grants
$9,807
Institutional grants
$44,945
Princeton University's extremely selective admissions are indicated by their 4% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 37,601 applicants, of which 1,647 were admitted and 1,290 enrolled. Princeton University doesn't have a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed after a hard admissions deadline.
Full time
100%
83%
Female
51%
59%
First time
100%
59%
In-state
17%
68%
1st generation
28%
35%
White
36%
52%
Black
9%
14%
Hispanic
11%
15%
Asian
25%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
19%
12%