Princeton University
Princeton University is a private Ivy League research university in Princeton, New Jersey, distinctive for its intense focus on undergraduate teaching, its required senior thesis, and a residential-college system that houses essentially the entire student body on campus. Admission is among the most selective anywhere — Princeton admitted about 4.4% of its more than 42,000 applicants, and enrolled first-years carry roughly a 3.96 GPA with middle-50% SAT scores of 1490–1560. The university is test-optional through the 2026-27 cycle and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need entirely with grants, awarding no student loans. The admissions and aid figures below are drawn directly from Princeton's official Common Data Set; tuition reflects Princeton's published 2026-27 rate.
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Princeton admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Action
Princeton offers Restrictive (single-choice) Early Action — non-binding, but you may not apply early to other private colleges.
Standardized Tests
Princeton is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Admissions Factors
How Princeton weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Princeton's Common Data Set.
Private universities charge the same tuition regardless of state residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about Princeton admissions
How hard is it to get into Princeton?＋
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.
What GPA do you need to get into Princeton?＋
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.
Does Princeton require the SAT or ACT?＋
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.
Is a 1500 SAT good enough for Princeton?＋
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.
Does Princeton have Early Decision or Early Action?＋
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.
How much does Princeton cost, and what financial aid is available?＋
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.
What are the most popular majors at Princeton?＋
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.
What makes Princeton different from other Ivy League schools?＋
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.
Source: Princeton University Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-06. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Princeton. Banner photo by Ken Lund, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).