Princeton University
#1 Best Colleges in America- Graduation Rate
- 97% A+
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $110,066 A+
- Top 1% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $6,128 A-
- 64% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 5% A+
- Rejects about 95 of every 100 applicants
Bottom line: A A- overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 120.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $120.0 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Colleges in America.
Every $1 spent returns $120.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $2,917,174.
What The Data Says
-
An A- overall — top 12% of all U.S. colleges on measured outcomes.
-
Graduates earn 170% more than the national college median.
-
A 97% graduation rate — 70% above the national average.
-
Inventor rate in the top 9% nationally — patents, startups, and new technology flow from its graduates.
-
Admits just 5% of applicants — one of the most selective institutions in the country.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 3.0%
- Top 9%
- Patents
- 278
- Linked to graduates
- World Rank
- #5
- Times Higher Education
- Patent Citations
- 1,083
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 95/100
- Times Higher Education
Why Princeton University Matters
Princeton University is a private research university in Princeton, NJ ranked #5 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by exceptional admissions selectivity, a top-tier research enterprise, an unusually high rate of inventors and patents, a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network, and low net price paired with solid completion. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 1% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 5,709
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Social Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Princeton University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Highly selective — admits about 5% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1510–1580. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $6,128 a year after grants and scholarships — 64% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $110,066 ten years after enrolling — 170% above the typical college, against $10,320 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 57% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.88 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, Princeton University is not for everyone, but for those who make the cut, it’s a place where ambition meets opportunity. The school attracts bright minds, particularly in fields like Social Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, and Biology. Students here are often deeply engaged in their studies, working alongside faculty who are leaders in their fields. This kind of environment fosters not just learning but also a strong sense of community among peers.
After graduation, the benefits of attending Princeton are clear. Alumni can expect an impressive average earning of $110,066 within a decade of finishing their degrees. This speaks volumes about the value of a Princeton education, especially when considering the high graduation rate of 97%. The school’s focus on producing skilled graduates who excel in their careers contributes significantly to their long-term success.
When it comes to finances, the net price after aid is manageable at $6,128, and the median debt stands at $10,320. This means many graduates leave with a realistic financial outlook, allowing them to focus on their careers rather than being weighed down by overwhelming debt. Students who thrive here often come from diverse backgrounds, bringing a variety of perspectives that enhance classroom discussions and campus life.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Princeton University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Princeton University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Princeton, New Jersey, Princeton University turns away the vast majority of its applicants. The acceptance rate is 5%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,553. The graduation rate is roughly 97%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 5%
- Retention Rate
- 98%
- SAT Average
- 1553
- ACT Midpoint
- 34
- SAT Range
- 1510–1580
- ACT Range
- 34–35
- Full-Time Faculty
- 87%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $25,354
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 5:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.79
- First-Gen Students
- 28%
- Applicants
- 38,019
- Admitted
- 2,167
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Princeton University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Princeton University is $62,688, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $6,128. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $41 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,320 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $62,688
- Out-of-State
- $62,688
- Avg Net Price
- $6,128
- Median Debt
- $10,320
- Pell Grant Rate
- 19%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 2%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $41
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $352
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $1,217
- Family Income $110K+
- $36,094
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Princeton University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Princeton University earn a median of $110,066, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $87,815
- 8 Years
- $112,152
- 10 Years
- $110,066
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.09x
- Earning > $25K
- 83%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,175)
- 90%
- 100% (1,175)
- 90%
- 100% (1,175)
- 90%
- 100% (1,175)
- 90%
How Princeton Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Princeton University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Princeton University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $6,128/year ($24,512 total). Graduates earn $110,066 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $2,941,686 in total earnings — a net gain of $2,917,174 (120.0× your investment). The median debt is $10,320, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 97% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $24,512
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $2,941,686
- Net Return
- $2,917,174
- ROI Multiple
- 120.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $6,128
- Median Debt
- $10,320
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 97%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Princeton University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Princeton University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.35%, well above the typical college. Access is narrower: only about 2% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 65.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $218,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.35%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 65.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 2.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $218,100
Research & Teaching
Data: Times Higher Education World University Rankings
How Research-Intensive Is Princeton University? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places Princeton University at #5 worldwide, a mark of serious research standing. Its profile spans a research score of 95/100, teaching at 91/100, and citation impact of 100/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
- World Rank
- #5
- Teaching
- 90.9
- Research
- 95.4
- Citations
- 99.9
- International
- 70.3
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Princeton University produces inventors at an exceptional rate — the top 9% of U.S. colleges, with 278 patents tied to its graduates, and ranks among research universities with a 95/100 research score.
- Inventor Rate
- 2.95%
- Top 9% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 278
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 1,083
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 95/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 100/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 4.55%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-581,116,000
Top Programs
The fields Princeton University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Social Sciences 20%
- Engineering 18%
- Computer Science & IT 15%
- Biology & Biomedical 10%
- Physical Sciences 6%
- Psychology 4%
- English & Literature 3%
- Mathematics & Statistics 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Princeton University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Princeton University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Princeton, New Jersey, Princeton University turns away the vast majority of its applicants. The acceptance rate is 5%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,553. The graduation rate is roughly 97%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Princeton University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Princeton University is $62,688, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $6,128. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $41 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,320 in federal student loans.
Is Princeton University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Princeton University earn a median of $110,066, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does Princeton University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Princeton University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.35%, well above the typical college. Access is narrower: only about 2% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 65.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $218,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Princeton University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Princeton University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.88, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is Princeton University? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places Princeton University at #5 worldwide, a mark of serious research standing. Its profile spans a research score of 95/100, teaching at 91/100, and citation impact of 100/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
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Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Princeton University.
- Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA · Close peer97% grad $101,817 earn 4% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT · Close peer96% grad $100,533 earn 4% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Dartmouth CollegeHanover, NH · Close peer96% grad $97,434 earn 5% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Duke UniversityDurham, NC · Close peer96% grad $97,800 earn 6% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MD · Close peer94% grad $87,555 earn 6% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA · Close peer93% grad $114,862 earn 12% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Princeton University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Princeton University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.88, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note