Princeton vs. Drexel

Comparable Facts

Compare Princeton University in Princeton, NJ with Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Drexel University is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Drexel University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Drexel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Drexel University 9:1.

Princeton vs. Drexel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton or Drexel? 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 Drexel ($15,313 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drexel University are 10.6% lower than at Princeton University ($18,096 vs. $20,250).
• Princeton University is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drexel (about $276 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at Princeton than at Drexel University (about $276 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Princeton University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 96.1% larger than aid received by Drexel University students ($68,727 vs. $35,051).

Princeton vs. Drexel Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 210 points higher than at Drexel (1340).
• Incoming Princeton students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Drexel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; Drexel University 1240/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Drexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Drexel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Drexel (3.67).
• Drexel has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

Princeton vs. Drexel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton and Drexel? 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 Drexel University's (68%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $36,500 more per year than Drexel graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $77,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $18,743 lower median loan debt than Drexel graduates ($7,500 vs. $26,243).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $194 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drexel graduates ($77 vs. $271).
• More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drexel students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 77%)

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.