Princeton vs. Brown

Comparable Facts

Compare Princeton University in Princeton, NJ with Brown University in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Brown University is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (11,956 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Brown University is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brown University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Brown University 6:1.

Princeton vs. Brown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton or Brown? 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 Brown ($15,313 vs. $26,256).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brown University are 13.9% lower than at Princeton University ($17,444 vs. $20,250).
• Brown University is 13.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $8,724 more per year; $71,412.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.9% higher at Brown than at Princeton University (about $8,724 more per year; $71,412.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at Brown University (67% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 11.9% larger than aid received by Brown University students ($68,727 vs. $61,392).

Princeton vs. Brown Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton or Brown? 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 Brown and Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is the same as at Brown (1550).
• Incoming Princeton students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Brown (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; Brown University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Brown University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Brown - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Brown Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Brown students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Princeton (3.93).
• Brown has a higher acceptance rate (5.4%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 65.2% at Brown.

Princeton vs. Brown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton and Brown? 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 Brown University's (95%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $26,300 more per year than Brown graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $87,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Brown graduates ($7,500 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Brown graduates ($77 vs. $155).
• More Brown graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 83%)

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.