Princeton University

www.princeton.edu/

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2021 Undergraduate Tuition

$56,010

15.5% growth from 2020

2021 Average Net Price

$20,908

After Financial Aid

2021 Acceptance Rate

4.38%

37,601 Applicants

2021 Enrolled Students

8,478

99% Full-Time

2021 Graduation Rate

97.6%

1,284 Graduates

About

Princeton University is a higher education institution located in Mercer County, NJ. In 2021, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Princeton University were Computer Science (150 degrees awarded), General Public Policy Analysis (123 degrees), and Econometrics & Quantitative Economics (93 degrees).

In 2021, 2,075 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Princeton University. 46% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 54% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (708 degrees), 1.86 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (380 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Princeton University is $56,010, which is $27,018 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

Photo by Alexander Day

Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2021, the median undergraduate tuition at Princeton University is $56,010, which is $27,018 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $20,908.

In 2021, 63% of undergraduate students attending Princeton University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 2% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$56,010

2021 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2021, the cost of tuition at Princeton University was $56,010. The cost of tuition at Princeton University is $27,018 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Princeton University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$20,908

2021 Value

11.9%

1 Year Growth

In 2021 Princeton University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $20,908. Between 2020 and 2021, the average net price of Princeton University grew by 11.9%.

This chart compares the average net price of Princeton University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$15,342

Room and Board

$1,050

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Princeton University was of $15,342 in 2021. The cost of room and board decreased by 10.5% between 2020 and 2021.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,050. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Princeton University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

63%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

63% of undergraduate students at Princeton University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2021. This represents a growth of 3.28% with respect to 2020, when 61% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Princeton University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

2019 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2019 the default rate for borrower's at Princeton University was 0%, which represents 0 out of the 114 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Princeton University received 37,601 undergraduate applications in 2021, which represents a 14.5% annual growth. Out of those 37,601 applicants, 1,647 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 4.38% acceptance rate.

There were 8,478 students enrolled at Princeton University in 2021. 56% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Princeton University has an overall enrollment yield of 78.3%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

4.38%

Acceptance Rate in 2021

1,647

Accepted Out of 37,601

In 2021, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Princeton University was 4.38% (1,647 admissions from 37,601 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2020, which was 5.63%. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of applicants grew by 14.5%, while admissions declined by −10.9%..

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Princeton University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

56%

Submission Percentage (2021)

719

Scores Submitted (2021)

56% of enrolled first-time students at Princeton University in 2021 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

This chart shows the SAT scores for the 25th and 75th percentile of applicants broken out into each section of the test that their are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Princeton University had a total enrollment of 8,478 students in 2021. The full-time enrollment at Princeton University is 8,397 students and the part-time enrollment is 81. This means that 99% of students enrolled at Princeton University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Princeton University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 35.8% White, 17.6% Asian, 9.22% Hispanic or Latino, 6.37% Black or African American, 5.02% Two or More Races, 0.118% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.059% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Princeton University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (20.3%), followed by White Female (18.2%) and Asian Female (11.9%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Male (18.5%), followed by White Female (13.5%) and Asian Female (4.75%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

99%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Princeton University in 2021, both undergraduate and graduate, is 8,478 students. The full-time enrollment at Princeton University is 8,397 and the part-time enrollment is 81. This means that 99% of students enrolled at Princeton University are enrolled full-time compared with 76.6% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Princeton University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

96%

2021 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Princeton University was 96%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (84%), Princeton University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Princeton University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
3,034 enrolled students
Asian
1,494 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
782 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Princeton University is 35.8% White, 17.6% Asian, 9.22% Hispanic or Latino, 6.37% Black or African American, 5.02% Two or More Races, 0.118% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.059% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 48.9% White, 15.1% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.56% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 255 students (3.01%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2021, 165 fewer women than men received degrees from Princeton University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Princeton University is white (708 degrees awarded). There were 1.86 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (380 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Princeton University is Computer Science (150 degrees awarded), followed by General Public Policy Analysis (123 degrees) and Econometrics & Quantitative Economics (93 degrees).

In 2021, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Princeton University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Physical Sciences (216 degrees awarded), Cultural & Gender Studies (45 degrees), and Architecture and Related Services (47 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Postsecondary teachers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Princeton University are Postsecondary teachers (129,532 people), Other managers (110,310 people), Architects, except landscape and naval (98,182 people), Physicians (77,625 people), and Elementary & middle school teachers (72,765 people).

The most specialized majors at Princeton University in 2021 are Physical Sciences (216 degrees awarded), Cultural & Gender Studies (45 degrees), Architecture and Related Services (47 degrees), Language & Linguistics (86 degrees), and PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES. (50 degrees) (as of 2021).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Princeton University are Surgeons, Media and communication workers, all other, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, and Physicians

The most specialized majors at Princeton University are Physical Sciences (216 degrees awarded), Cultural & Gender Studies (45 degrees), Architecture and Related Services (47 degrees), Language & Linguistics (86 degrees), and PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES. (50 degrees) (as of 2021).

Common Industries by Major

Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Princeton University are Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (231,853 people), Elementary & secondary schools (174,702 people), Architectural, engineering & related services (173,569 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (101,721 people), and Computer Systems Design (89,385 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Princeton University.

Most Common (2021)

Computer Science
150 degrees awarded
General Public Policy Analysis
123 degrees awarded
Econometrics & Quantitative Economics
93 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Princeton University was Computer Science with 150 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Princeton University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

1,120

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2021

955

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2021

In 2021, 1,120 degrees were awarded to men at Princeton University, which is 1.17 times more than the number of degrees awarded to females (955).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Princeton University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2021, 128 degrees were awarded to men at Princeton University in Computer Science, which is 1.73 times more than the 74 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2021, 117 degrees were awarded to men at Princeton University in General Public Policy Analysis, which is 1.13 times more than the 104 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

90%

100% Completion Time

98%

150% Completion Time

In 2021, 90% of students graduating from Princeton University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 98% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 98% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

American Indian or Alaska Native Male

Highest Graduation Rate (100%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2021 at Princeton University is Male and American Indian or Alaska Native (100% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.9%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 1.95% of graduates (25 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
708 degrees awarded
Asian
380 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
191 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Princeton University is white (708 degrees awarded). There were 1.86 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (380 degrees).

2.27% of degree recipients (47 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2021)

White Male
406 degrees awarded
White Female
302 degrees awarded
Asian Female
209 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Princeton University is white male (406 degrees awarded). There were 1.34 times more white male recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (302 degrees).

Operations

Princeton University has an endowment valued at nearly $37B, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 11.9B (32%) compared to the 10.4% average return (40.5M on 388M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2021, Princeton University had a total salary expenditure of 1.84B. Princeton University employs 503 Professors, 190 Assistant professors and 182 Lecturers. Most academics at Princeton University are Male Professor (363), Female Professor (140), and Male Assistant professor (108).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Princeton University are: Computer, Engineering, and Science, with 1,556 employees, Office and Administrative Support, with 963 employees, and Management with 775 employees.

Endowment

$37B

2021 Endowment

42.7%

growth from 2020

Princeton University has an endowment valued at about $37B, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The endowment of Princeton University grew 42.7% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $36.6B higher than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Princeton University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$752M

2021 Salaries

1.83%

growth from 2020

In 2021, Princeton University paid a median of $752M in salaries, which represents 40.9% of their overall expenditure ($1.84B) and a 1.83% growth from the previous year.

The median for similar Doctoral Universities is 234M (42.8% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$196M

Instructional Salaries

1,006

Number of Employees

In 2021, Princeton University paid a total of $196M to 1,006 employees working as instructors, which represents 26.1% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $71M (30.3%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

503 Employees

Computer, Engineering, and Science

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

1,556 Employees

In 2021, the most common positions for instructional staff at Princeton University were Professor with 503 employees, Assistant professor with 190 employees, and Lecturer with 182 employees.

In 2021, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Princeton University were Computer, Engineering, and Science with 1,556 employees, Office and Administrative Support with 963 employees, and Management with 775 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2021)

Male Professor
Female Professor
Male Assistant professor

In 2021, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Princeton University was Male Professor with 363 employees, Female Professor with 140 employees, and Male Assistant professor with 108 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Princeton University.