UChicago vs. Princeton

Comparable Facts

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

University of Chicago is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (18,566 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UChicago vs. Princeton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UChicago 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 UChicago ($15,313 vs. $28,060).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Chicago are 0.7% lower than at Princeton University ($20,109 vs. $20,250).
• University of Chicago is 12.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $7,974 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.7% higher at UChicago than at Princeton University (about $7,974 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at University of Chicago (67% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 10.3% larger than aid received by University of Chicago students ($68,727 vs. $62,300).

UChicago vs. Princeton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Chicago (1550) is the same as at Princeton (1550).
• Incoming UChicago students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Princeton (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 1510/1580; Princeton University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 34/35; Princeton University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UChicago - Test optional; Princeton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UChicago students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Princeton (3.93).
• Princeton has a higher acceptance rate (4.6%) than UChicago (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at UChicago vs. 75.5% at Princeton.

UChicago vs. Princeton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UChicago and Princeton? 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 Chicago's (92%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $15,400 more per year than UChicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $98,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than UChicago graduates ($7,500 vs. $14,500).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UChicago graduates ($77 vs. $149).
• More UChicago 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.