Private Nonprofit Institution Princeton, NJ
Princeton University
Four-year college
Princeton University is a highly selective private nonprofit four-year college in Princeton, NJ, focused on bachelor’s-level study with an urban campus setting, with about 5,709 undergraduates, an acceptance rate of about 4.6%, listed tuition around $62,688 and typical net price of $6,128 after grants, first-year retention of 98.4%, about 97.6% of students graduating within six years, and median earnings of $87,815 six years after enrollment.
Grade for Princeton University
Letter grades from Best Universities methodology. Overall grade blends the categories below for schools in that ranking cohort.
Overall grade
A-
Best Universities compares this school with national benchmarks for similar institutions.
$6,128Average net price
97.6%Graduation rate
$87,815Median earnings, 6 years after entry
19.2%Pell Grant recipient share
Key facts for Princeton University
Key rankings for Princeton University
Where Princeton University ranks among four-year colleges nationwide on selected cost and outcome measures. Rank 1 is best on that measure (lowest cost or debt; highest earnings, retention, or graduation). These are single-measure standings, not Best Universities list placement.
#55 of 1,811
Net Price
#39 of 1,816
Earnings
#69 of 1,808
Retention
#26 of 1,850
Graduation
#50 of 1,767
Debt
What stands out at Princeton University
Princeton University in Princeton, NJ is a four-year college where bachelor’s-level study is the main focus.
- Small city
- 5,709 undergraduates
Key figures
What stands out
Average net price after aid is lower than or close to the national median for similar schools, while six-year earnings meet or beat that median. On these two measures the pattern is comparatively favorable.
First-year retention and graduation both track at or above national benchmarks for similar schools, suggesting relatively steady progress for students who start here.
Admission is more selective than the national middle for similar schools and Pell Grant use runs lower—typical of campuses where access is shaped more by selectivity than by very high financial need in the enrolled class.
Best Universities methodology explains how grades and ranked-list placements are calculated.
Student measures: Cost, completion, earnings, retention, and debt.
Institution context: Enrollment, demographics, faculty, setting, and admissions.
At a glance
Cost, outcomes & access at Princeton University
Two related measures side by side for a quick scan.
Net Price and Earnings
Retention and Graduation
Acceptance and Pell Grant Share
Annual figures on one dollar scale, so bar lengths are comparable within this chart. Total cost of attendance covers tuition, fees, and living costs. Listed tuition is the price before aid; average net price is what students paid after grants and scholarships.
In-state tuition is above the national median of $19,284 for similar four-year colleges, while out-of-state tuition is above the national median of $26,816.
How Princeton University compares
Figures are for four-year colleges. State, region, and national columns use the middle value (median) for similar schools; retention uses averages for region and nation. Region shown: Mid East (region 2).
Swipe sideways to compare state, region, and national figures.
| Measure | This school | State (NJ) | Region | Nation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net price | $6,128Below national median | $18,745 | $21,346 | $19,923 |
| Earnings, 6 years | $87,815Above national median | $48,084 | $49,117 | $45,225 |
| Retention | 98.4%Above national median | 79.9% | 79.4% | 74.9% |
| Graduation | 97.6%Above national median | 54.8% | 58.4% | 54.4% |
| Acceptance rate | 4.6%Below national median | 78.1% | 76.7% | 77.0% |
| Pell share | 19.2%Below national median | 39.9% | 33.4% | 33.9% |
| Median debt | $10,320Below national median | $22,542 | $24,872 | $23,250 |
| 3-year cohort default rate | 0.0%About the same | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Recent 3-year cohort default rates are near zero because of the federal student loan payment pause and are not useful for school-to-school comparison.
Campus & institution details for Princeton University
Campus overview
Undergraduate demographics
Share of undergraduates in each group. Gender and race or ethnicity are reported separately, so each set totals about 100%.
Confirm program details and current staffing on the college website.
Frequently asked questions about Princeton University
Common questions about Princeton University, answered with Best Universities cost and outcome figures. For how we rank schools, use the methodology link in the header; for deadlines and aid, rely on the college’s official site.
Where is Princeton University located?
Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ. If the college has more than one campus, confirm addresses and program locations on the school's official site or with the admissions office.
What kind of school is Princeton University?
Princeton University is a private nonprofit four-year college. Best Universities compares it with similar four-year institutions for ranking and benchmark purposes.
How much does it cost to attend Princeton University (tuition and net price)?
Listed sticker tuition is $62,688 for in-state students and $62,688 for out-of-state students. Average net price (typical annual cost after grant and scholarship aid for full-time, first-time undergraduates) is about $6,128. Your actual net price depends on income, residency, and aid.
What is Princeton University's acceptance rate?
The overall undergraduate acceptance rate is about 4.6% for the year shown. Selectivity can vary by program or campus; check admissions for the path you care about.
How large is Princeton University's undergraduate student body?
Undergraduate enrollment is about 5,709. Enrollment changes over time and may span multiple campuses depending on how the school reports.
What are completion and earnings outcomes for Princeton University?
Median earnings six years after entry at Princeton University are roughly $87,815. Outcomes vary widely by major, occupation, and region. About 97.6% of students graduate on time or soon after. Individual trajectories differ from these population-level measures.
How does Best Universities rank Princeton University?
Among similar schools nationwide, Princeton University stands as follows on selected measures: Average net price (#55 of 1,811); Median earnings, 6 years after entry (#39 of 1,816); First-year retention (#69 of 1,808); Graduation rate (#26 of 1,850); Median loan debt (#50 of 1,767). Those are single-measure ranks, not a single overall list place. See the methodology page for how Best Universities builds ranked lists.
Where should I go for admissions and official information about Princeton University?
For application deadlines, requirements, campus visits, and program lists, use Princeton University’s official website. Best Universities publishes cost and outcome figures for comparison; it does not replace the institution’s admissions or financial aid office.
All figures for Princeton University Expand to view
A fuller table of the figures Best Universities uses for this school. Useful if you are double-checking a number.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Institution | Princeton University |
| Official website | www.princeton.edu/ |
| City, state | Princeton, NJ |
| School type | Four-year college |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 5,709 |
| Listed tuition (in-state) | $62,688 |
| Listed tuition (out-of-state) | $62,688 |
| Listed tuition (generic) | $62,688 |
| Total cost of attendance | $84,040 |
| Room and board (on campus) | $20,250 |
| Average net price | $6,128 |
| Median earnings, 6 years after entry | $87,815 |
| Median earnings, 8 years after entry | $112,152 |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $110,066 |
| Median loan debt | $10,320 |
| 3-year cohort default rate | 0.0% |
| First-year retention | 98.4% |
| Graduation rate (4-year programs) | 97.6% |
| Graduation rate (shorter programs) | Not reported |
| Acceptance rate | 4.6% |
| SAT average | 1,553 |
| ACT average | 34 |
| Pell Grant share | 19.2% |
| Share with federal loans | 2.0% |
| Part-time enrollment share | 0.0% |
| Campus setting | Small city |
| Student–faculty ratio | 5 |
| Avg monthly faculty salary | $25,354 |
| Full-time faculty share | 86.7% |
| Online only | No |
| HBCU | No |
| SAT midpoint, Math | 770 |
| SAT midpoint, Reading & Writing | 745 |
| Share of undergraduates, women | 50.4% |
| Share of undergraduates, men | 49.6% |
| Share of undergraduates, Black | 8.7% |
| Share of undergraduates, Hispanic | 10.1% |
| Share of undergraduates, White | 33.7% |
| Share of undergraduates, Asian | 23.4% |
| Share of undergraduates, two or more races | 7.2% |
| Share of undergraduates, international | 12.6% |
| Net price, family income $0–30k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $30–48k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $48–75k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $75–110k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $110k+ | Not reported |
Sources for Princeton University
- About the federal data. U.S. Department of Education figures used for institutional characteristics, cost, admissions, enrollment, student outcomes, debt, and earnings on this page.
- Best Universities methodology. How grades and rankings are calculated.
Figures from the same school data Best Universities uses for rankings. Shortlist with them, then verify on the college’s official site.