WUSTL vs. Princeton

Comparable Facts

Compare Washington University in St Louis in St. Louis, MO with Princeton University in Princeton, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington University in St Louis is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (16,357 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington University in St Louis is located in St. Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting); Princeton University is in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Washington University in St Louis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington University in St Louis 7:1; Princeton University 5:1.

WUSTL vs. Princeton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WUSTL 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 WUSTL ($15,313 vs. $22,408).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Princeton University are 7.3% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($20,250 vs. $21,854).
• Washington University in St Louis is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $3,102 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at WUSTL than at Princeton University (about $3,102 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at Washington University in St Louis (67% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 4% larger than aid received by Washington University in St Louis students ($68,727 vs. $66,080).

WUSTL vs. Princeton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WUSTL 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 WUSTL .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 10 points higher than at WUSTL (1540).
• Incoming WUSTL 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: Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570; Princeton University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington University in St Louis 33/35; Princeton University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WUSTL - Test optional; Princeton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WUSTL Jan 4, 2027; Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at WUSTL (3.92).
• WUSTL has a higher acceptance rate (12.1%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.7% at WUSTL vs. 75.5% at Princeton.

WUSTL vs. Princeton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WUSTL 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 Washington University in St Louis's (93%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $31,100 more per year than WUSTL graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $82,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $12,400 lower median loan debt than WUSTL graduates ($7,500 vs. $19,900).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $128 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WUSTL graduates ($77 vs. $205).
• More WUSTL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.