U of A vs. Princeton

Comparable Facts

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

University of Arizona is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (56,365 students vs. 9,137 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arizona is located in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting); Princeton University is in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Arizona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arizona 20:1; Princeton University 5:1.

U of A vs. Princeton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of A or Princeton? 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 A ($15,313 vs. $19,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arizona are 17.3% lower than at Princeton University ($16,746 vs. $20,250).
• Princeton University is 350.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than U of A (about $48,762 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $13,926.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.3% higher at Princeton than at University of Arizona (about $20,410 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $42,278.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at Princeton University (95% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 398.9% larger than aid received by University of Arizona students ($68,727 vs. $13,776).

U of A vs. Princeton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of A or Princeton? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Princeton and U of A.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 260 points higher than at U of A (1290).
• Incoming Princeton students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 25 at U of A).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Arizona 1150/1420; Princeton University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Arizona 21/29; Princeton University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of A - Test optional; Princeton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Princeton students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at U of A (3.48).
• U of A has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at U of A vs. 75.5% at Princeton.

U of A vs. Princeton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of A and Princeton? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than University of Arizona's (61%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $59,900 more per year than U of A graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $54,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $11,500 lower median loan debt than U of A graduates ($7,500 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $119 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of A graduates ($77 vs. $196).
• More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of A students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 66%)

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.