Princeton vs. Pitt

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (35,724 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 13:1.

Princeton vs. Pitt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton or Pitt? 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 Pitt ($15,313 vs. $25,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus are 32.7% lower than at Princeton University ($13,620 vs. $20,250).
• Princeton University is 185.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pitt (about $40,762 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $21,926.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.3% higher at Princeton than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (about $21,258 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $41,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (67% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 316.7% larger than aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students ($68,727 vs. $16,494).

Princeton vs. Pitt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 180 points higher than at Pitt (1370).
• Incoming Princeton students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Pitt).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Pitt - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Pitt (3.79).
• Pitt has a higher acceptance rate (58.1%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 13% at Pitt.

Princeton vs. Pitt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton and Pitt? 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 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus's (79%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $55,900 more per year than Pitt graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $19,409 lower median loan debt than Pitt graduates ($7,500 vs. $26,909).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $201 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt graduates ($77 vs. $278).
• More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pitt students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 75%)

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.