Princeton vs. Rutgers University-Newark

Comparable Facts

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

Rutgers University Newark is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (11,315 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Rutgers University Newark is in Newark, NJ (Large City setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rutgers University Newark is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Rutgers University Newark 14:1.

Princeton vs. Rutgers University-Newark Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton or Rutgers University-Newark? 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 Rutgers University-Newark ($15,313 vs. $18,276).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rutgers University Newark are 20.6% lower than at Princeton University ($16,074 vs. $20,250).
• Princeton University is 263.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rutgers University-Newark (about $45,438 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $17,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.5% higher at Princeton than at Rutgers University Newark (about $25,926 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $36,762.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rutgers University Newark than at Princeton University (72% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 294.9% larger than aid received by Rutgers University Newark students ($68,727 vs. $17,405).

Princeton vs. Rutgers University-Newark Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton or Rutgers University-Newark? 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 Rutgers University-Newark and Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 400 points higher than at Rutgers University-Newark (1150).
• Incoming Princeton students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 24 at Rutgers University-Newark).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; Rutgers University Newark 1030/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Rutgers University Newark 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Rutgers University-Newark - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Rutgers University-Newark (3.23).
• Rutgers University-Newark has a higher acceptance rate (71.4%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 7.1% at Rutgers University-Newark.

Princeton vs. Rutgers University-Newark Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton and Rutgers University-Newark? 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 Rutgers University Newark's (68%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $47,700 more per year than Rutgers University-Newark graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $66,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $14,715 lower median loan debt than Rutgers University-Newark graduates ($7,500 vs. $22,215).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $152 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rutgers University-Newark graduates ($77 vs. $229).
• More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers University-Newark students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 68%)

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.