Princeton vs. Mary Washington College

Comparable Facts

Compare Princeton University in Princeton, NJ with University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Princeton University is larger than Mary Washington College based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 3,826 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); University of Mary Washington is in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; University of Mary Washington 13:1.

Princeton vs. Mary Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton or Mary Washington College? 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 Mary Washington College ($15,313 vs. $21,800).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary Washington are 29.6% lower than at Princeton University ($14,250 vs. $20,250).
• Princeton University is 328.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $48,048 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 127.5% higher at Princeton than at University of Mary Washington (about $35,128 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington than at Princeton University (99% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 555.1% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($68,727 vs. $10,491).

Princeton vs. Mary Washington College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton or Mary Washington College? 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 Mary Washington College and Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 280 points higher than at Mary Washington College (1270).
• Incoming Princeton students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Mary Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; University of Mary Washington 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; University of Mary Washington 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Mary Washington College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Mary Washington College (3.71).
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 17.7% at Mary Washington College.

Princeton vs. Mary Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton and Mary Washington College? 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 University of Mary Washington's (71%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $58,400 more per year than Mary Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $55,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $14,000 lower median loan debt than Mary Washington College graduates ($7,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mary Washington College graduates ($77 vs. $222).
• More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mary Washington College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 80%)

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.