Nassau Hall, Princeton University
Princeton University logo

Princeton University

#17 Worldwide🇺🇸 Princeton, NJ, United States

Tuition

$57,410

Acceptance

4%

Students

8,500

About Princeton University

Princeton emphasizes undergraduate teaching and pioneering research in equal measure. Its generous no-loan aid policy makes an elite education broadly accessible.

Ivy LeagueResearchPrivateUndergraduate-focused

Why Students Choose Princeton University

  • Ranked #17 worldwide — globally recognized academic prestige.
  • Highly competitive admissions mean a tightly selected, high-achieving peer group.
  • Generous aid — 62% of students receive financial support.
  • Small average class size (10 students) for close faculty access.
  • An active, well-funded research culture.
  • Dedicated scholarship programs, including Princeton Grant, Need-based Aid.

Selectivity

Acceptance Rate4%
Students on Aid62%

More selective than ~90% and ranked better than ~94% of the 253 schools in our directory.

At a Glance

  • Established1746
  • RegionUSA
  • Faculty Ratio4:1
  • WebsiteVisit ↗

Quick Stats

Student Pop.

8,500

Faculty Ratio

4:1

Avg. Class Size

10

Financial Aid

62%

Ready to start?

Save this school, track your application, or request full requirements by email.

Request Info Compare Schools

Verified Aid Policy

Need-blind for internationalMeets full demonstrated need

Princeton's international students page states admission is need-blind with no disadvantage for financial aid applicants, and 'the full need of all admitted international students is met the same as it is for students from the United States.'

Source

English Test Policy

Verified

Required if English is not your native language and you did not attend a secondary school where English was the primary language of instruction for at least three years. No minimum score is published.

TOEFLIELTS AcademicDuolingo English TestPTE Academic
Source

Similar Universities

Yale University

🇺🇸 United States · #16

University of Pennsylvania

🇺🇸 United States · #15

Cornell University

🇺🇸 United States · #20

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Princeton University?

Princeton University admits approximately 4% of applicants, making it "Highly Selective" in our directory.

How much does Princeton University cost per year?

Tuition is approximately 57,410 USD per year before aid. See the Tuition tab for a full cost-of-attendance breakdown.

Does Princeton University offer scholarships or financial aid?

Yes — Princeton University offers Princeton Grant, Need-based Aid, and about 62% of students receive some form of financial aid.

When is the application deadline for Princeton University?

The application deadline is Jan 01. We recommend submitting all materials at least two weeks ahead of that date.

What can I study at Princeton University?

Princeton University offers 4 broad fields of study: Engineering, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Business.

How big are classes at Princeton University?

The average class size is 10 students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 4:1, across a medium campus of about 8,500 students.

Princeton University

🇺🇸 Princeton, NJ, United States · USA

#17

Global Ranking

Detailed admissions profile compiled by UniPath on July 17, 2026. Figures are directory estimates intended for planning purposes — always confirm exact requirements and costs with the official admissions office at https://www.princeton.edu.

At a Glance

Established1746
Student Population8,500
Faculty Ratio4:1
Average Class Size10
Acceptance Rate4%
Annual Tuition$57,410
Financial Aid Recipients62%
Application DeadlineJan 01
Websitehttps://www.princeton.edu

About Princeton University

Princeton emphasizes undergraduate teaching and pioneering research in equal measure. Its generous no-loan aid policy makes an elite education broadly accessible.

Tags: Ivy League · Research · Private · Undergraduate-focused

Why Students Choose Princeton University

  • Ranked #17 worldwide — globally recognized academic prestige.
  • Highly competitive admissions mean a tightly selected, high-achieving peer group.
  • Generous aid — 62% of students receive financial support.
  • Small average class size (10 students) for close faculty access.
  • An active, well-funded research culture.
  • Dedicated scholarship programs, including Princeton Grant, Need-based Aid.

Admissions — Highly Selective

With only 4% of applicants admitted, every part of the application needs to be deliberate — academics, essays, and activities all carry weight.

This school is more selective than approximately 90% of schools in our directory, ranks better than 94% of them, and is more affordable than 14% (out of 253 schools compared).

Typical requirements:

  • Completed online application
  • Official academic transcripts
  • Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS) for non-native speakers
  • 3 letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors
  • Personal statement plus 2+ supplemental essays
  • Standardized test scores (optional at many schools, but top-decile scores strengthen the file)
  • Demonstrated depth in 1-2 extracurriculars rather than breadth across many

Test-optional, but admitted students who submit scores typically land in the 90th percentile or above.

Cost of Attendance (Estimated, per year)

Tuition$57,410
Housing & Living$20,094
Books & Supplies$2,296
Personal Expenses$4,593
Total Cost of Attendance$84,393
Est. Average Grant / Aid- $21,357
Est. Net Price$36,053
4-Year Total (before aid)$337,572

Estimates for international students; actual aid varies by applicant profile.

Scholarships

  • Princeton Grant
  • Need-based Aid

Majors & Career Outcomes

Engineering — $72,000 avg. starting salary

Common careers: Design Engineer, Project Manager, R&D Specialist, Systems Engineer

Natural Sciences — $58,000 avg. starting salary

Common careers: Research Scientist, Lab Manager, Biotech Specialist, Environmental Consultant

Social Sciences — $54,000 avg. starting salary

Common careers: Policy Analyst, Economist, Counselor, HR Specialist

Business — $65,000 avg. starting salary

Common careers: Financial Analyst, Marketing Manager, Management Consultant, Entrepreneur

Campus Life

Leafy collegiate-Gothic campus with eating clubs, strong school spirit, and small seminar culture.

Suggested Application Timeline

  • 12+ weeks before: Request transcripts and letters of recommendation; start drafting your personal statement.
  • 8 weeks before: Finalize essays, gather standardized test scores, and complete the online application form.
  • 4 weeks before: Submit early — leave buffer time for technical issues or late-arriving documents.
  • Jan 01 — deadline: Hard deadline. All materials must be received by the admissions office.
  • After submitting: Track your applicant portal and respond promptly to any requests for more information.

Similar Universities to Consider

SchoolRankTuitionAcceptance
Yale University#16$64,7004.6%
University of Pennsylvania#15$63,0006%
Cornell University#20$63,2007%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Princeton University?

Princeton University admits approximately 4% of applicants, making it "Highly Selective" in our directory.

How much does Princeton University cost per year?

Tuition is approximately 57,410 USD per year before aid. See the Tuition tab for a full cost-of-attendance breakdown.

Does Princeton University offer scholarships or financial aid?

Yes — Princeton University offers Princeton Grant, Need-based Aid, and about 62% of students receive some form of financial aid.

When is the application deadline for Princeton University?

The application deadline is Jan 01. We recommend submitting all materials at least two weeks ahead of that date.

What can I study at Princeton University?

Princeton University offers 4 broad fields of study: Engineering, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Business.

How big are classes at Princeton University?

The average class size is 10 students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 4:1, across a medium campus of about 8,500 students.