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Princeton Admission Requirements

Princeton, New Jersey

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Chances of getting into Princeton University

Acceptance Rate

Admitted 
4%
Admission Difficulty for Princeton University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Elite 
Applicant Competition Extreme 
How hard is it to get into Princeton and can I get accepted?

The acceptance rate at Princeton is 4%.  It ranks #1 in New Jersey and #4 in the nation for lowest rate of acceptance. Princeton is extremely competitive school to get into with a very low chance of acceptance - even for applicants with the highest scores and grades. Last year, 1,647 out of 37,601 applicants 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% chose to enroll. This indicates that admission to the school is highly desirable and is a top choice for many students.

The Princeton application fee is $70 and applications are due by Jan 1.

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 2021/2022 academic year..

Princeton SAT Scores

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

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

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Princeton University is a test optional school meaning applicants are not required to submit SAT scores with their application. The position on SAT scores from the school is "considered but not required".

Students who get into Princeton University score in the top 2 percent of all SAT test takers.. The SAT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 1460-1570.

Find other colleges with similar SAT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

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

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

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

Princeton University is test optional. Students are not required to submit ACT scores with their application. The policy on ACT scores is "considered but not required".

Princeton regularly accepts students who score 33 and above on the ACT. These students typically score in the top 2 percent nationally. The ACT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 33-35.

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by 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 

Princeton GPA

Estimated 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?

Applicants require exceptionally good grades to get into Princeton. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at Princeton University was 3.93 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily A- students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #1 in New Jersey for highest average GPA. 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.

 What do these ratings mean?

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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

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Applying

Admission Statistics

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 2023 Application Deadline

Applications were Due
Jan 1, 2023
Days left to Apply
None

The application deadline for Fall 2023 has passed. Applications were due on Jan 1, 2023.

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
Other Colleges to Consider 

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. 56% of students submit SAT scores when applying. 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. 35% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.