Princeton, NJ · 5.7k students
Trajecta score
+3.6 since '20Ranked #1 of 2,375
5-year trend
88.0 · #2
2020
90.0 · #3
2021
90.8 · #1
2022
90.2 · #1
2023
91.6 · #1
2024
Academic Profile
97/ 100
Career Outcomes
91/ 100
Student Success
98/ 100
Affordability
94/ 100
Academic Investment
99/ 100
Access & Equity
57/ 100
Academic Profile
97
Career Outcomes
91
Student Success
98
Affordability
94
Academic Investment
99
Access & Equity
57
AI Fit Analysis
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Cost / Net Price
$84k / $6k
SAT Avg
1,553
Retention
98%
Grad Rate
97%
Admissions
Test Scores
Scores represent the midpoint of enrolled students, not a cutoff.
Finances
Tuition
In-State Tuition
$62,688
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$62,688
per year
Aid & Debt
Pell Grant Share
19%
undergraduates receiving Pell
Federal Loan Share
2%
students borrowing
Median Debt
among completers
$10,320
Admissions Factors
Self-reported by the school in its Common Data Set (section C7) — the school's own statement of which application factors matter in its admissions decisions.
3.95
average high school GPA of enrolled freshmen · 99% reporting
Source: Common Data Set 2024-2025, what Princeton University reports weighing in admissions.
| Factor | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigor of secondary school record | Rigor of secondary school record: Very Important | |||
| Class rank | Class rank: Very Important | |||
| Academic GPA | Academic GPA: Very Important | |||
| Standardized test scores | Standardized test scores: Very Important | |||
| Application essay | Application essay: Very Important | |||
| Recommendation(s) | Recommendation(s): Very Important | |||
| Interview | Interview: Considered | |||
| Extracurricular activities | Extracurricular activities: Very Important | |||
| Talent/ability | Talent/ability: Very Important | |||
| Character/personal qualities | Character/personal qualities: Very Important | |||
| First generation | First generation: Considered | |||
| Alumni/ae relation | Alumni/ae relation: Considered | |||
| Geographical residence | Geographical residence: Considered | |||
| State residency | State residency: Not Considered | |||
| Religious affiliation/commitment | Religious affiliation/commitment: Not Considered | |||
| Volunteer work | Volunteer work: Considered | |||
| Work experience | Work experience: Considered | |||
| Level of applicant's interest | Level of applicant's interest: Not Considered |
Supplemental Essays · 2025-26
school's admissions site ↗Academic Interest Essay — A.B./Undecided Applicants
RequiredChoose 1250 wordsAs a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests? (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.)
Academic Interest Essay — B.S.E. Applicants
RequiredChoose 1250 wordsPlease describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton. Include any of your experiences in or exposure to engineering, and how you think the programs offered at the University suit your particular interests. (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.)
Your Voice — Lived Experience
Required500 wordsPrinceton values community and encourages students, faculty, staff and leadership to engage in respectful conversations that can expand their perspectives and challenge their ideas and beliefs. As a prospective member of this community, reflect on how your lived experiences will impact the conversations you will have in the classroom, the dining hall or other campus spaces. What lessons have you learned in life thus far? What will your classmates learn from you? In short, how has your lived experience shaped you? (Please respond in 500 words or fewer.)
Your Voice — Service and Civic Engagement
Required250 wordsPrinceton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. How does your own story intersect with these ideals? (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.)
More About You — New Skill
Required50 wordsWhat is a new skill you would like to learn in college?
More About You — Joy
Required50 wordsWhat brings you joy?
More About You — Soundtrack
Required50 wordsWhat song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?
Drafting these? Write them with AI feedback in Trajecta →
Methodology
The Trajecta Score (0–100) blends six dimensions of public college data into one comparable number, then nudges it by how much data each school reports. Selectivity tiers are separate — they’re based purely on a school’s admission rate.
Read the full methodologyMedian earnings 10 years out, earnings vs. a high-school grad, and loan repayment.
Admission selectivity and the incoming class’s SAT / ACT scores.
Average net price after aid and the typical debt of graduates.
Graduation rate and first-year retention.
Instructional spending and faculty salaries per student.
Share of Pell-grant students and reliance on federal loans.
Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and IPEDS. Figures are the most recent reported and may lag a year or two. This tool is read-only and not personalized — inside the Trajecta app, scores are tailored to your profile as a fit score.
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