Princeton vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Princeton vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton or Penn? 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 Penn ($15,313 vs. $23,570).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pennsylvania are 5.3% lower than at Princeton University ($19,174 vs. $20,250).
• University of Pennsylvania is 9.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $5,998 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.6% higher at Penn than at Princeton University (about $5,998 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at University of Pennsylvania (67% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 5% larger than aid received by University of Pennsylvania students ($68,727 vs. $65,458).

Princeton vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 10 points higher than at Penn (1540).
• Incoming Penn students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Princeton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Princeton (3.93).
• Penn 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. 68% at Penn.

Princeton vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton and Penn? 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).

• The graduation rate at Princeton is the same as at University of Pennsylvania (96% vs. 96%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Princeton graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $113,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $13,133 lower median loan debt than Penn graduates ($7,500 vs. $20,633).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $136 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn graduates ($77 vs. $213).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.