What Princeton is and who attends

Princeton University is a private research university in Princeton, New Jersey, founded in 1746. It enrolls roughly 5,400 undergraduates and 3,000 graduate students. Admission is highly selective — the university receives tens of thousands of applications each year and admits a small percentage of them. Most undergraduates live on campus, and most graduate students pursue doctoral degrees in fields like physics, engineering, molecular biology, and economics.

Princeton does not have a business school, law school, or medical school. The university operates five schools: the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of Public and International Affairs, the Graduate School, the School of Architecture, and the College (which houses humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences). Undergraduates earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree; graduate students earn master's degrees or PhDs depending on their program.

Key Takeaways

  • Princeton's undergraduate admission rate is typically below 4 percent, and the university considers grades, test scores, essays, and extracurricular activities in its review process.
  • The total cost of attendance for undergraduates (tuition, room, board, and fees) is over $60,000 per year, though this varies slightly by year.
  • Princeton meets 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for admitted undergraduates and does not require loans in its aid packages, meaning aid comes as grants that do not need to be repaid.
  • Graduate students typically receive full funding (tuition plus a stipend) if admitted to doctoral programs, but master's programs often require students to pay tuition themselves.
  • The process process includes submitting transcripts, standardized test scores, essays, and letters of recommendation, with important date typically in early January for fall enrollment.

Undergraduate admission requirements and process

Princeton requires applicants to submit official high school transcripts, scores from the SAT or ACT, three letters of recommendation (usually from teachers), and several essays. The university does not have a minimum GPA or test score — instead, admissions officers review each process as a whole. Most admitted students have near-perfect grades and test scores, but the university also considers leadership, unusual talents, personal circumstances, and whether an applicant's background brings diversity to campus.

The process important date for fall enrollment is typically January 1, and decisions are released in late March. Princeton uses early decision, a binding commitment: if you explore early decision and are admitted, you must enroll. Early decision applications are usually due in November, with decisions in December. Regular decision (non-binding) follows the January important date. International students and U.S. citizens follow the same process, though international students must demonstrate they can pay for their education.

Princeton does not require the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section. The university also does not consider standardized test scores in the context of socioeconomic disadvantage — meaning a lower score does not hurt an applicant from a school with fewer resources. However, most admitted students score in the top 1 percent nationally.

Undergraduate tuition, fees, and total cost

Princeton's published cost of attendance for the 2024–2025 academic year is approximately $63,000, which includes tuition, mandatory fees, room, and board. This figure changes each year. Books, personal expenses, and travel add to this amount. Unlike some universities, Princeton does not charge different tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students — all undergraduates pay the same tuition.

The university requires all undergraduates to live on campus for all four years (with limited exceptions for seniors). Housing and meal costs are therefore built into the total cost and cannot be avoided by living off-campus. Princeton also charges a one-time residential college fee for first-year students, which covers residential college programming and facilities.

Financial aid for undergraduates

Princeton meets 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for all admitted undergraduates, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. This means the university calculates how much your family can afford to pay (based on income, assets, and family size) and covers the rest with grants. Grants are money you do not repay, unlike loans.

To receive aid, you must submit the Free process for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile, a financial form specific to private universities. Princeton uses these forms to determine your family's expected contribution. The university does not include loans in its aid packages for undergraduates — all aid comes as grants. If your family's income is below $75,000 per year, Princeton typically covers full tuition, room, and board with no family contribution required.

Families earning between $75,000 and $150,000 typically pay between 0 and 10 percent of the total cost. Families earning above $150,000 are expected to contribute more, but Princeton still meets demonstrated need. The university recalculates aid each year based on updated financial information, so your aid package may change if your family's financial situation changes.

Graduate student funding and costs

Graduate funding at Princeton differs sharply between doctoral and master's programs. Doctoral students in most fields receive full funding, meaning the university covers tuition and provides a monthly stipend (typically $35,000 to $40,000 per year, though this varies by program and year). Doctoral students are usually expected to work as teaching assistants, research assistants, or graders to earn their stipend. Admission to a doctoral program almost always includes a funding offer.

Master's students, by contrast, typically pay tuition themselves. Some master's programs offer partial scholarships or assistantships, but full funding is uncommon. Master's tuition varies by program; engineering and public affairs programs may cost $30,000 to $50,000 per year. Graduate students are responsible for their own housing and living expenses unless they receive a specific fellowship or assistantship that covers these costs.

process materials and important date

Undergraduate applicants submit materials through the Common process or the Coalition process, both online platforms. Required materials include official transcripts from your high school, SAT or ACT scores (sent directly by the testing agency), three teacher recommendations, a school counselor recommendation, and several essays. Princeton asks for a personal essay, a short essay about your intellectual interests, and responses to additional prompts that change each year.

Regular decision applications are due January 1, with decisions released March 28 (or nearby). Early decision applications are due November 1, with decisions in December. If you are deferred in early decision, your process moves to the regular decision pool and is reconsidered in the spring. Admitted students typically have until May 1 to confirm enrollment and submit a deposit.

Graduate process important date vary by program. Most doctoral programs have important date between December and January for fall enrollment. Master's programs may have rolling admissions, meaning they review applications as they arrive and may close when the class is full. Check your specific program's website for exact dates.

Housing, campus life, and student services

All Princeton undergraduates live on campus and are assigned to one of six residential colleges, each with its own dining hall, common spaces, and residential staff. The residential college system is central to undergraduate life — students take some classes with their college, eat meals together, and participate in college-based activities. Housing is may provide for all four years.

Princeton offers over 300 student organizations, club sports, NCAA Division I athletics, and performing arts groups. The university does not have fraternities or sororities. Graduate students typically live off-campus or in graduate housing, depending on availability and program. Princeton provides counseling, health services, academic advising, and career services to all students.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Princeton consider test scores if I don't submit them?

Princeton made standardized testing optional for undergraduate admission during the pandemic and has kept this policy. If you do not submit SAT or ACT scores, your process will be reviewed without them. However, most admitted students have submitted scores, and not submitting may put you at a disadvantage if your academic record is unclear.

What is Princeton's graduation rate?

Princeton's undergraduate graduation rate is approximately 97 percent, meaning nearly all admitted students complete their degree within four years. Graduate completion rates vary by program; doctoral students typically take five to seven years to complete their degree, while master's students finish in one to two years.

Can I transfer to Princeton as an undergraduate?

Princeton rarely admits transfer students — typically fewer than 10 per year across all undergraduate classes. Transfer admission is extremely competitive and reserved for students with exceptional circumstances. Most transfer applicants are not admitted.

Do international students pay the same tuition as U.S. students?

Yes, international students pay the same tuition as U.S. citizens. However, international students must demonstrate they can pay for their education (either through family resources or outside scholarships) before admission. Princeton does meet 100 percent of demonstrated need for admitted international students, just as it does for U.S. students.

What happens if my family's financial situation changes after I'm admitted?

Contact Princeton's financial aid office. The university recalculates aid each year and can adjust your package if your family's income, assets, or family size changes. If your family's financial situation improves, your aid may decrease; if it worsens, your aid may increase.