Michigan vs. Princeton

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Michigan Ann Arbor in Ann Arbor, MI with Princeton University in Princeton, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Michigan Ann Arbor is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (52,855 students vs. 9,137 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Michigan Ann Arbor is located in Ann Arbor, MI (Midsize City setting); Princeton University is in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Michigan Ann Arbor 11:1; Princeton University 5:1.

Michigan vs. Princeton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan 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 Michigan ($15,313 vs. $17,574).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Michigan Ann Arbor are 24.3% lower than at Princeton University ($15,328 vs. $20,250).
• Princeton University is 253.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan (about $44,952 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $17,736.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at Princeton than at University of Michigan Ann Arbor (about $1,742 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $60,946.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at University of Michigan Ann Arbor (67% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 173.8% larger than aid received by University of Michigan Ann Arbor students ($68,727 vs. $25,099).

Michigan vs. Princeton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan 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 Michigan.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 100 points higher than at Michigan (1450).
• Incoming Princeton students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Michigan).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Michigan Ann Arbor 1360/1530; Princeton University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Michigan Ann Arbor 31/34; Princeton University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan - Test optional; Princeton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Michigan Feb 1, 2027; Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Princeton students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Michigan (3.88).
• Michigan has a higher acceptance rate (15.6%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.3% at Michigan vs. 75.5% at Princeton.

Michigan vs. Princeton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan 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 Michigan Ann Arbor's (90%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $39,500 more per year than Michigan graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $74,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $12,603 lower median loan debt than Michigan graduates ($7,500 vs. $20,103).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $130 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan graduates ($77 vs. $207).
• More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 78%)

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.