Princeton University is one of the best research institutes in USA and a member of the ‘Ivy League’. The university manifests interdisciplinary research collaborations and is known for Computer Science (12.5%), Econometrics and Quantitative Economics (9.9%) discipline. Princeton University campus is vast with voguish facilities in 5 schools and colleges, 200+ campus buildings, 6 residential colleges, 17 campus chaplains, and 10 libraries.

The university houses over 8,000 students with 98% undergraduate students and 70% graduate students living on campus. At Princeton, the acceptance rate is 3.8% reflecting a highly selective admission policy. International students constitute 14% of the total student body at Princeton. Students from 140 countries applied for admissions to Princeton University, among whom, candidates from 70 countries received offer.

The university has the highest number of titles among the ‘Ivy League’ institutes. The university offers over 400 international internship opportunities. Till now, 18 alumni of Princeton University have won the Nobel Prize and 112 Princetonians have competed in the Olympics.
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Princeton University Student Reviews

Princeton University highlights

Princeton University Highlights

Likes

  • Variety of courses: Princeton University offers admission in more than 36 undergraduate degree programs, 55 undergraduate certificates, 44 graduate degree programs, and 13 graduate certificates and a pathway program in STEM fields in USA through the School of Engineering and Applied Science.
    Check: Programs in Princeton University
  • Campus Facilities: Princeton campus houses 500+ student organizations, several museums including Princeton University Art Museum, and 11 co-ed eating clubs. The campus exhibits athletic courts, coffee house, computing and study space, exercise room, 21 private clubs, pool tables, parking area and many more.
  • Abundance of Scholarships: Princeton offer scholarships to more than 60% international students on the ground of family resources of the applicants. The university has met 100% of the demonstrated needs of its aspirants through several financial aid programs.
  • Placements: Princeton graduates secure jobs in companies like Amazon, Citigroup, Uber, and also top-ranked universities like Harvard, NYU, MIT among others. The highest paying profession after studying in Princeton are Consulting, Accounting and Professional Services with an average annual salary of 158,000 USD.

Dislikes

  • Expensive Courses: The average cost of studying at Princeton University is nearly 78,000 USD (~58-60 lakh INR) including tuition, boarding, miscellaneous and living cost. This might be a concern for students on a low budget.
  • Dining System: The fraternity/sorority system in the Dining clubs might not match the choices of most of the international students.

Princeton University Programs

At Princeton, there is a Continuing Education Program designed for students who are preparing for a career change or probably, an entrance into a professional school, or those pursuing advanced training in their fields. There is also a Pathway program at the institution for college seniors who are majoring in fields of STEM through the School of Engineering and Applied Science. University provides students with aids and materials for ground-breaking research across all academic facets.

Check: STEM Courses in USA

Princeton University Rankings

Princeton University is one of the top universities in the world according to several ranking agencies like THE Rankings, QS World Rankings, U.S. News and others. The university is ranked at #8 among the US Universities according to QS Global World University Rankings, 2023 with its top competitors being Harvard University (#1) and Stanford University (#2). Following are some of the significant ranks of the university:

Ranking Agency Ranking 2023
QS World University Rankings #16
Best Global Universities US News #16
World University Rankings THE #8 
National Universities, US News #1

Princeton University Ranking Comparison

Following are the ranking comparison of the university with Harvard University and Stanford University according to U.S. News and World Report:  

Subject Princeton University Harvard University Stanford University
Chemistry #20 #14 #1
Mathematics #3 #7 #2
Computer Science #45 #14 #2
Engineering #91 #25 #6

Explore the comparison between:

Princeton University vs Stanford University

Princeton University Campus

Princeton University has a huge campus with various facilities. Out of all, 98% of the university undergraduates are offered on-campus housing in the USA at the institute.

  • There are more than 200 campus buildings, six residential colleges, 17 campus chaplains, and ten libraries at the institute. Medical accommodation, private bathroom accommodation, housing accommodation are some services provided on prior application to students, who opt for them.
  • Gender-Inclusive Housing at the university is also avaliable for students who would opt for such residence.
  • Furthermore, Princeton University’s campus exhibits more than 300 active student organizations. 
  • The university nurses 37 varsity intercollegiate teams and 36 sport club teams.
  • Various on-campus dining and nearby cafes are available for students to have hearty meals.

Princeton University Accommodations

It is mandatory for first and second year students to stay at the residence facilities offered by the university. There are 6 residential colleges for undergraduates. There are singles, triples, 3- and 5-room quads, hallway, shared, and private bathrooms.

Princeton University On Campus Accommodation

On-campus housing is guaranteed for the students of all 4 years. There are 8 on-campus apartments, annexes, and townhouses for graduates. Mentioned below are the annual cost of accommodation on campus at Princeton University:

Accommodation Type Annual Cost in USD Annual Cost in INR
2 Room Single 10,320 8.51 lakhs
1 Room Single 8,007 96 thousand
Double Rooms 9,072- 10,320 7.48 lakhs- 8.51 lakhs
Walk Through Doubles 5,973 71thousand
Triples 8,007- 10,320 6.60 lakhs.29- 8.51 lakhs
Quads 8,007- 9,072 6.60 lakhs- 7.48 lakhs

Princeton University Off Campus Accommodation

Princeton’s Housing and Real Estate Services provides housing information which includes listings for off-campus houses, apartments, rooms, shares, and sublets for the institute's faculty, staff, students, and approved guests. These housings are owned by landlords and property managers. Graduate students may also buy meals from many cafés around campus and the town.

Accommodation Average Rent (USD/Year) Average Rent (INR/Year)
1 Bedroom 9,612 7.84 lakhs
2 Bedroom 6,347 5.18 lakhs
3 Bedroom 5,767 4.70 lakhs
4 Bedroom 5,715 4.66 lakhs

Check: Student housing in USA

Princeton University Admission Process

The competition for admission to Princeton University is extremely tough. Around 150 Indian students secures admission to Princeton University in an academic year. 40% of the graduate program applicants at Princeton hails from international origin. Due to this, the prerequisites for admissions to Princeton University for a master’s or Ph.D. program is the same for U.S. citizens, permanent residents or international applicants.

Princeton University UG Admission

Particulars Admission Requirements
Admission Portal Coalition Application or Common Application
Application Fee 70 USD (5,720 INR)
Academic Score no minimum test scores for admission
Standardized Exam Score Average- SAT: 1570 | ACT: 35 
English Language Requirement TOEFL iBT: 27 on the speaking | IELTS: 8
Additional Requirement 3 Letters of Recommendation (1 from counselor and 2 from teachers) | Princeton’s supplementary application | Graded Written Paper

Princeton University PG Admission

Category Admission Requirements
Application Portal University Graduate Portal 
Application Fee 95 USD (7,760 INR)
GPA Requirement Average 3.9 or 
English proficiency test scores TOEFL iBT: 27 (Speaking) | IELTS: 8
Standardized Exam Scores GMAT score of 550+ | GRE Quant: 163, GRE Verbal: 161
Additional Requirements Essay | 2-3 Letter of Recommendation | Resume/Curriculum Vitae | Statement of Purpose

Read More: Princeton University Admissions

Princeton University Cost of Attendance

Aspirants of the institute must note to plan their finances in advance before enrolling at the university. To help you with the same, an estimated cost of studying in USA has been tabulated below.

Princeton University Cost of Attendance for UG

Type of Expense Annual Cost in USD Annual Cost in INR
Tuition 57,410 47.35 lakhs
Student Health Plan Fee 3,000 2.47 lakhs
Housing 10,960 9.03 lakhs
Meals 7,670 6.32 lakhs
Books and Supplies 3,500 2.88 lakhs

Princeton University Cost of Attendance for PG

Type of Expense Annual Cost in USD Annual Cost in INR
Tuition 61,560 50.77 lakhs
Student Health Plan Fee 3,000 2.47 lakhs
Housing 14,530 11.98 lakhs
Meals 9,150 7.54 lakhs
Books and Supplies 2,160 1.78 lakhs

Also check: Cost of Living in USA

Princeton University Scholarships

The university has met 100% of the demonstrated needs of its aspirants by offering financial support in the form of awards and scholarships for international students in USA. A total of 82% of seniors graduated debt-free thanks to the organization's aid programs and policies. Awards available to international students include scholarships, grants, research assistantships, fellowships, and student jobs. Nearly 61% of undergraduate students receive financial aids. Scholarships available to international students include:

  • Bershadsky Family Scholarship in Science or Engineering: Yearly, this scholarship is awarded to several undergraduates of any nationality in science and engineering.
  • Harold W. Dodds Fellowships: This aid provides funds from which one or more fellowships, unrestricted as to the field of study or other qualifications, will be awarded to graduate students.
  • Natural Science and Engineering fellowship: All first-year students in this faculty receive a First-Year Fellowship, which covers full tuition and fees plus a 10-month stipend. Most times, summer support may sum up to an additional 8,000 USD is available depending upon a department’s resources.

Learn more: Indian student scholarships for USA

Princeton University Alumni

The university alumni community has a strength of over 95,000 global members spread across the world. An alumni benefits from unique access to the institute's libraries and free Wifi on campus. The alumni provide financial support to the needful students. The alumni can access online resources for personal and commercial use. 

Princeton University Notable Alumni

Alumni Name Designation Achievement
Jeff Bezos Entrepreneur Founded Amazon, Blue Origin, and became one of the wealthiest people in the world
Pete Conrad Astronaut 3rd person to walk on the moon during the Apollo 12 mission
Lorraine Adams Journalist Won a Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting on police brutality
John F. Kennedy President Led the US during the Cold War and helped push for the Civil Rights Act
Woodrow Wilson President Helped shape the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations
James Madison President Father of the Constitution and author of the Bill of Rights
Michelle Obama Lawyer/First Lady Promoted healthy living and education as First Lady, and established the "Let's Move!" initiative to combat childhood obesity

Princeton University Placements

It organizes profitable career fairs all through the year between prospective employers and students. Institute’s Handshake program has observed over 42,000 applications being submitted for 6,545 jobs and internships. The average starting salary for those employed full-time is 72,000 USD. Apart from this, students also enroll themselves in post degree courses.

Princeton University Placement

Source@https://tableaupublic.princeton.edu/

Explore: Post-study opportunities in USA.

The best paying degree at Princeton University is Masters in Science, with alumni earning an average salary of $279,000. Some top employers of university graduates include Amazon, Google, Facebook, IBM, McKinsey, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Barclays, Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase & Co., BlackRock, Credit Suisse, etc. Also Check: MBA Jobs in USA

Princeton University is one of the best institutions to study in the USA. The low acceptance rate of the university and adequacy of scholarships for all the students justifies its preferences on quality over quantity. Furthermore, the career-oriented programs and high-salaried post-study job placements across various leading multinational companies attract meritorious international students to join the Princeton University community.

FAQs

Ques. Is there any application fees for Princeton University?

Ans. The application fee at Princeton University ranges from $70 to $95* depending upon the course that international students want to pursue.

Ques. What is the fee structure of courses offered by the university?

Ans. The average first-year tuition fee at Princeton University is $53,890* for all the undergraduate and graduate courses, including Ph.D. programs.

Ques. When do the admissions start?

Ans. International students must follow the same application deadlines as the national students for admission to Princeton University.

Undergraduate Admission Cycle

  • Early admissions: Early November
  • Regular admissions: Early January

Graduate Admission Cycle

  • Regular admissions: Early September

Ques. What are the eligibility requirements?

Ans. The eligibility requirements for international applicants vary from that of the US applicants, especially if they belong to non-English-speaking countries. Refer to the program-based requirements below:

  • Undergraduate Level Eligibility Requirements: Grade 12 in relevant discipline, TOEFL, IELTS Academic, or PTE Academic scores
  • Graduate Level Eligibility Requirements: 3-4 year bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline, TOEFL or IELTS, GMAT or GRE

Ques. What are the steps to the application process? Does this involve an interview round?

Ans. Like all the US Universities, Princeton University also accepts undergraduate applications from the US undergraduate applications portals. The university has a portal for graduate applications, where international students can apply.

Ques. How difficult is it to get an admission at Princeton University? 

Ans. Each year the admission committee at Princeton reviews nearly 33,000 national and international applications. Out of this, only 2,000 applications are accepted. Hence, the acceptance rate drops to nearly 5.5% making the university one of the highly selective institutes of the country.