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Princeton University

A+

Grade

4%

Acceptance

$17,800

Net Price

1490-1570

SAT Range

location_on Princeton, NJ
• www.princeton.edu •
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What the School is Known For

From the School

Princeton University, founded in 1746, is one of the world's great research universities and consistently ranks at the top of national and global rankings. Princeton is distinctive among elite universities for its singular focus on undergraduate education — there are no law school, medical school, or business school, making the undergraduate college the academic heart of the institution.

Princeton's residential college system, its commitment to the senior thesis, and its no-loan financial aid policy combine to create an undergraduate experience that is intellectually demanding, personally supported, and financially accessible.

The Student Body

From the School

Princeton enrolls approximately 5,500 undergraduates and 3,000 graduate students, keeping the university relatively intimate compared to peers. The undergraduate student body is highly selective and highly diverse, with representation from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.

Princeton students are known for their seriousness of academic purpose and their involvement in the full range of extracurricular, athletic, and social activities the university offers.

Getting In

From the School

Princeton's acceptance rate is approximately 4%, making it one of the most selective universities in the United States. The admissions committee looks for intellectual curiosity, personal achievement, and the potential to contribute to Princeton's academic and residential community.

Princeton offers a Single-Choice Early Action program (non-binding) in November. The University is need-blind for domestic applicants and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need with no loans — only grants and work-study.

Academic Programs & Research

From the School

Princeton offers more than 85 academic concentrations across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. Every undergraduate student completes a senior thesis — an independent research or creative project — that is the capstone of the Princeton education.

Princeton's School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA, formerly Woodrow Wilson School) is one of the nation's top programs in public policy and international relations, and undergraduates can certificate in Policy Studies alongside their main concentration.

Life on Campus

From the School

Princeton's 600-acre campus in Princeton, New Jersey blends Gothic and Collegiate Gothic architecture with sweeping lawns and modern research facilities. The campus is self-contained and walkable, fostering a genuine residential community rare among research universities.

Eating clubs along Prospect Avenue serve as the primary social venues for upperclassmen, a distinctive feature of Princeton social life. Student organizations, athletic programs, and the arts offer complementary outlets for every interest.

Living & Getting Involved

From the School

Princeton guarantees four years of on-campus housing through its residential college system. First- and second-year students live in one of six residential colleges, each with its own dining hall, common spaces, and programming led by a college master and team of advisors.

Upperclassmen choose between continuing in the residential colleges or joining one of the 11 eating clubs, which function as social centers and dining venues. The range of options allows students to shape their own residential experience across four years.

Athletics & Recreation

From the School

Princeton competes in the Ivy League and fields 37 varsity sports in NCAA Division I. Princeton Athletics has one of the strongest records among Ivy League schools, with national championships in lacrosse, rowing, and other sports.

The Jadwin Gymnasium, Dillon Gymnasium, and Class of 1952 Stadium anchor Princeton's athletic and recreation facilities. Nearly half of undergraduates participate in varsity, junior varsity, or club athletics.

Student Support Services

From the School

The McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning provides academic coaching, tutoring referrals, and writing support for all undergraduates. Each residential college also employs a team of peer academic advisors — upperclassmen who help first-year students navigate course selection and academic expectations.

The Davis International Center, the Office of Disability Services, and the Pace Center for Civic Engagement are among the many offices that provide targeted support for Princeton students with diverse needs.

Wellness & Mental Health

From the School

Princeton Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) provides free individual therapy, group sessions, and crisis intervention to enrolled students. CPS has embedded counselors within each residential college to bring support closer to where students live.

The Princeton Health Center operates Counseling and Psychological Services alongside primary care and sexual health services. Let's Talk, an informal drop-in consultation program, allows students to speak with a counselor without making a formal appointment.

Plan a Campus Visit

From the School

The Princeton Office of Admission offers information sessions and student-led tours on most weekdays and some Saturdays. Tours take visitors through key campus landmarks including Nassau Hall, the iconic FitzRandolph Gate, and several residential college common spaces.

Princeton Preview in April invites admitted students to campus for two immersive days of class visits, faculty panels, and residential college open houses. Virtual information sessions and a self-guided campus tour app are available for remote prospective students.

Career Outcomes & Placement

From the School

Princeton alumni are represented at the highest levels of government, academia, finance, and the arts. The Center for Career Development provides recruiting services, internship funding, and alumni mentorship to every enrolled student.

Princeton's emphasis on the senior thesis develops research, writing, and independent thinking skills that graduates consistently cite as their most valuable professional assets. Employers across every field actively recruit Princeton graduates for their analytical depth.

Fields of Study

From the School

Computer Science, Economics, Public and International Affairs, History, and Molecular Biology are among Princeton's most popular undergraduate concentrations. Princeton's interdisciplinary certificate programs allow students to pursue focused study in areas such as Finance, Neuroscience, or Environmental Studies alongside their primary concentration.

Princeton's engineering programs in Operations Research, Electrical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering are highly regarded, and the unusual integration of engineering within a liberal arts framework is a defining feature of the degree.

Cost of Attendance

From the School

Princeton's undergraduate tuition is approximately $61,160 per year, with total cost of attendance — including room, board, and fees — reaching around $84,000 annually. Princeton's financial aid program means the average aided family contributes far less than the published price.

Princeton has maintained one of the most aggressive net price reduction commitments among all universities, and the elimination of loans from all financial aid packages ensures students graduate without debt from university borrowing.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

From the School

Princeton meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for every admitted student without loans. Families earning below $100,000 typically pay nothing toward tuition, room, and board; families between $100,000 and $250,000 pay a modest, income-based contribution.

Princeton was one of the first universities in the country to replace all student loans with grants, a policy in place since 2001. The University awarded over $220 million in financial aid in a recent academic year, funded by one of the largest endowments per student of any university in the world.

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