Princeton vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare Princeton University in Princeton, NJ with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (26,409 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); University of Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

Princeton vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton or UVA? 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 UVA ($15,313 vs. $18,427).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 26.9% lower than at Princeton University ($14,800 vs. $20,250).
• Princeton University is 187.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVA (about $40,885 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $21,803.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.3% higher at Princeton than at University of Virginia Main Campus (about $3,176 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $59,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at University of Virginia Main Campus (67% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 139.3% larger than aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students ($68,727 vs. $28,715).

Princeton vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 70 points higher than at UVA (1480).
• Incoming Princeton students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at UVA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at UVA (3.85).
• UVA has a higher acceptance rate (16.8%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 40% at UVA.

Princeton vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton and UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus's (94%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $36,700 more per year than UVA graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than UVA graduates ($7,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UVA graduates ($77 vs. $201).
• More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.