Princeton University

Very hard — Princeton admitted about 4.4% of applicants in the most recent cycle, offering admission to roughly 1,868 of more than 42,300 applicants and enrolling about 1,408 first-years. Every academic factor in its holistic review — rigor of course load, GPA, essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, and personal qualities — is weighed as very important, so strong grades alone are not enough.

Princeton's enrolled first-years report an average high school GPA of about 3.96, so admitted students are typically near the top of their class with the most rigorous course load available. There is no minimum GPA, and admission is holistic: GPA and the rigor of your high school record are both weighed as very important factors alongside essays and recommendations.

No. Princeton is test-optional through the 2026-27 admission cycle, so you can apply without submitting scores and will not be at a disadvantage. Among enrolled first-years who did submit, the middle 50% scored about 1490–1560 on the SAT and 34–35 on the ACT — and roughly 96% of SAT submitters scored 1400 or above.

A 1500 is solidly competitive: it falls within the middle-50% SAT range of 1490–1560 for enrolled first-years, just above the 25th percentile of 1490. About 96% of SAT submitters scored 1400 or higher, so a 1500 keeps you in the typical band — but with a 4.4% acceptance rate, scores are one very important factor among many, not a guarantee.

Princeton offers single-choice (restrictive) Early Action — not binding Early Decision. That means you may apply early to Princeton but generally cannot apply early to other private colleges, and if admitted you are not obligated to enroll. Whichever round you choose, the same factors drive the decision: rigor, GPA, test scores (optional), essays, and recommendations are all weighed as very important.

Princeton's published 2026-27 tuition is $68,140, with required fees of $314, bringing tuition and fees to $68,454; add housing and food of about $22,120 plus books and personal expenses and the total runs higher. Most students pay far less: Princeton meets 100% of demonstrated need entirely with grants and awards no student loans. About 71% of first-years receive need-based aid, and the average aid package is roughly $79,320 — larger than tuition and fees alone.

The social sciences are the most popular area at about 20% of degrees, followed by engineering (18%) and computer science (14%). Princeton is also strong in public administration (9%), the biological sciences (9%), and history (6%), with the remainder spread across a wide range of fields.

Princeton is unusually focused on undergraduates: its student-faculty ratio is about 8:1, retention is roughly 99%, and the six-year graduation rate is about 97%. Essentially all undergraduates live on campus, and its financial aid stands out for meeting 100% of demonstrated need with grants and no loans. Admission is also among the most selective, at about a 4.4% acceptance rate.