Princeton vs. U of R

Comparable Facts

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

University of Rochester is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (11,946 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Princeton vs. U of R Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton or U of R? 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 U of R ($15,313 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Rochester are 2.3% lower than at Princeton University ($19,792 vs. $20,250).
• University of Rochester is 7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $4,392 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7% higher at U of R than at Princeton University (about $4,392 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rochester than at Princeton University (72% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 51% larger than aid received by University of Rochester students ($68,727 vs. $45,500).

Princeton vs. U of R Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton or U of R? 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 U of R and Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 70 points higher than at U of R (1480).
• Incoming Princeton students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at U of R).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; University of Rochester 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; University of Rochester 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); U of R - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; U of R Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at U of R (3.75).
• U of R has a higher acceptance rate (40.1%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 15.4% at U of R.

Princeton vs. U of R Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton and U of R? 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 Rochester's (83%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $42,900 more per year than U of R graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $71,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $17,000 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($7,500 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $176 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($77 vs. $253).
• More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 79%)

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.