George Washington vs. Princeton

Comparable Facts

Compare George Washington University in Washington, DC with Princeton University in Princeton, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

George Washington University is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (25,374 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Princeton University is in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• George Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: George Washington University 13:1; Princeton University 5:1.

George Washington vs. Princeton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington or Princeton? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Princeton University than George Washington ($15,313 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Washington University are 16.4% lower than at Princeton University ($16,920 vs. $20,250).
• George Washington University is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $5,022 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8% higher at George Washington than at Princeton University (about $5,022 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Washington University than at Princeton University (78% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 83.3% larger than aid received by George Washington University students ($68,727 vs. $37,500).

George Washington vs. Princeton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, George Washington or Princeton? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Princeton and George Washington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 120 points higher than at George Washington (1430).
• Incoming Princeton students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at George Washington).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 1350/1500; Princeton University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; Princeton University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; Princeton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at George Washington (3.81).
• George Washington has a higher acceptance rate (47.1%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 75.5% at Princeton.

George Washington vs. Princeton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington and Princeton? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than George Washington University's (81%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $33,400 more per year than George Washington graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $80,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $17,462 lower median loan debt than George Washington graduates ($7,500 vs. $24,962).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $181 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than George Washington graduates ($77 vs. $258).
• More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former George Washington students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 82%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.