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Princeton Admission Requirements

Princeton, New Jersey

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Your chances of getting into Princeton University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

4.4%
Admission Difficulty for Princeton University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Elite 
Applicant Competition Extreme 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Princeton is 4.4%.  Its admission rate is the lowest in New Jersey and the 4th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Princeton and can you get accepted?

Princeton is an extremely competitive school to get into and is highly selective who it accepts. You have a very low chance of acceptance even even if you meet the admission criteria. It's critical that you meet their GPA requirements to get past the first round of consideration. Last year, only 1,647 out of the 37,601 who applied were admitted.

The school has exceptionally high admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 2 percent on standardized admission tests. Princeton University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.93. Of those applicants who were admitted, 78% elected to enroll. This indicates that the school is the top choice for most students who apply.

Can you get into Princeton?

4% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

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Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Princeton University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.93 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1520 on the SAT
  • Score 34 on the ACT
  • Submit letters of recommendation from your teachers

Princeton GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.93

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Princeton University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Princeton are to have around a 3.93 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Given the school's very highly selective admissions, acceptance at Princeton extremely difficult and unlikely even with a 3.93 GPA. The school should be considered a reach even if you have a 3.93 GPA. If your grades do not meet the GPA requirements, you will have very little chance of being considered for admission.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Princeton is 3.93 on the 4.0 scale. 61% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #1 in New Jersey for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Princeton is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Princeton University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 60.99% Avg +
3.75 to 3.99 30.26% Avg -
3.50 to 3.74 5.55% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 2.26% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 0.63% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0.31% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Princeton SAT Scores

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Princeton University. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 56% of students submitted SAT scores and 35% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1460-1570

Applicants Submitting SAT 

56%
SAT Scores for Princeton University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 720
Math 25th Percentile 740
Composite 25th Percentile 1460
SAT Scores for Princeton University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 770
Math 75th Percentile 800
Composite 75th Percentile 1570
Average SAT Score 1520

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Princeton University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Princeton is 1520 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1460-1570. Students who get into Princeton University score in the top 2 percent of all SAT test takers..  Princeton ranks #1 in the state of New Jersey and #18 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1520 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Princeton regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1460 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1460, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1400, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Princeton University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "considered but not required".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1520 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1515, you have around a 4% chance of being admitted. A 1570 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 7% chance of getting in.

Princeton University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1570 and Above Good >7%
1515 to 1570 Avg + 4%-7%
1460 to 1515 Avg - 2%-4%
1405 to 1460 Reach 1%-2%
Less than 1405 Low <1%
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Princeton ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

33-35 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

35%
ACT Scores for Princeton University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 34
Math 25th Percentile 31
Composite 25th Percentile 33
ACT Scores for Princeton University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 36
Math 75th Percentile 35
Composite 75th Percentile 35
Average ACT Score 34

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Princeton?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Princeton is 34, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 33 and 35.  The school ranks #1 in New Jersey and #14 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 34. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 33 and score in the score in the top 2 percent nationally.

35 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Princeton University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Princeton University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "considered but not required".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Princeton for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 34 score has around 4% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 7% with a 35 ACT score.

Princeton University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
35 and Above Good >7%
34 to 35 Avg + 4%-7%
33 to 34 Avg - 2%-4%
32 to 33 Reach 1%-2%
Less than 32 Low <1%
Calculate My Chances 

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Princeton University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 18,864 18,737 37,601
Accepted 866 781 1,647
Acceptance Rate 5% 4% 4%
Enrolled 671 619 1,290
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 77% 79% 78%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 1, 2024

Days left to Apply

30

Applicants have 30 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 1, 2024.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Princeton University is $70.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Princeton University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Princeton University Application Requirements
Test Scores Considered but not required
High School GPA Recommended
High School Class Rank Recommended
Completion of College Preparatory Program Recommended
Recommendations Required
Demonstration of Competencies Recommended

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Princeton University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit No
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Princeton is extremely competitive, you have a very low likelihood of acceptance. It is critical that you earn at least a 3.93 GPA to have any chance. Additionally, you need to score at least a 1520 on the SAT and optimally 1570 to put yourself in a competitive position. For ACT scores, you should really strive for a 34 to have the best chance of getting in.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Princeton University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=186131 IPEDS survey data for Princeton University.

FAQs

Does Princeton University prefer SAT or ACT?

56% of students submit their SAT scores to Princeton. 35% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Princeton University?

4% of those who apply are granted admission to Princeton. Admission competition is extreme and the college has elite admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Princeton University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1460 and 1570. The average SAT score is 1515. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Princeton University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 33 and 35. The average ACT score is 34. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.