Princeton University United States

Princeton University United States

   

Princeton University United States

Princeton University is a private institution that was founded in 1746. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 5,323, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 600 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Princeton University's ranking in the 2015 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 1. Its tuition and fees are $41,820 (2014-15).

Princeton, the fourth-oldest college in the United States, is located in the quiet town of Princeton, New Jersey. Within the walls of its historic ivy-covered campus, Princeton offers a number of events, activities and organizations. The Princeton Tigers, members of the Ivy League, are well known for their consistently strong men's and women's lacrosse teams. Students live in one of six residential colleges that provide a residential community as well as dining services but have the option to join one of more than 10 eating clubs for their junior and senior years. The eating clubs serve as social and dining organizations for the students who join them. Princeton's unofficial motto, "In the Nation's Service and in the Service of All Nations," speaks to the university's commitment to community service.

Princeton includes highly ranked graduate programs through the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. One unique aspect of Princeton's academic program is that all undergraduate students are required to write a senior thesis. Notable alumni include U.S. President Woodrow Wilson; John Forbes Nash, subject of the 2001 film "A Beautiful Mind"; model/actress Brooke Shields; and first lady Michelle Obama. According to Princeton legend, if a student exits campus through FitzRandolph Gate prior to graduation, he or she may be cursed never to graduate.

School mission and unique qualities (as provided by the school):
Princeton University is unique in combining the strengths of a major research university with the qualities of an outstanding liberal arts college. Whether...

General Information

School type private, coed college
Year founded 1746
Religious affiliation N/A
Academic calendar semester
Setting suburban
2013 Endowment $18,786,132,000

When applying to Princeton University, it's important to note the application deadline is January 1, and the early action deadline is November 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due January 1. The application fee at Princeton University is $65. It is most selective, with an acceptance rate of 7.4 percent.

For more information about the tests, essays, interviews and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.

Selectivity most selective
Fall 2013 acceptance rate 7.4%
Application deadline January 1
SAT/ACT scores must be received by January 1

Academic Life

The student-faculty ratio at Princeton University is 6:1, and the school has 70.9 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Princeton University include: Economics, General; Political Science and Government, General; Molecular Biology; Psychology, General; and Public Policy Analysis, General. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 98.3 percent.

Class sizes
Classes with fewer
than 20 students
(70.9%)
20-49 (18.5%)
50 or more (10.6%)
18.5%
70.9%
Classes with fewer than 20 students (70.9%) 70.9411764706
20-49 (18.5%) 18.4705882353
50 or more (10.6%) 10.5882352941
Student-faculty ratio 6:1
4-year graduation rate 88%
Five most popular majors for 2013 graduates
Economics, General 11%
Political Science and Government, General 8%
Molecular Biology 6%
Psychology, General 6%
Public Policy Analysis, General 6%

Student Life

Princeton University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 5,323, with a gender distribution of 51.1 percent male students and 48.9 percent female students. At this school, 97 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 3 percent of students live off campus. Princeton University is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.

Total enrollment 8,014
Student gender distribution
Male (51.1%)
Female (48.9%)
48.9%
51.1%
Male (51.1%) 51.1365771182
Female (48.9%) 48.8634228818
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity
In fraternity (0%)
Independent (100%)
100.0%
In fraternity (0%) 0
Independent (100%) 100
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority
In sorority (0%)
Independent (100%)
100.0%
In sorority (0%) 0
Independent (100%) 100
Collegiate athletic association NCAA I

Campus Services

Princeton University offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, health service, and health insurance. Princeton University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at Princeton University.

Students who have cars on campus N/A
Health insurance offered Yes

Cost and Financial Aid

At Princeton University, 58.8 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $38,756.

Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs, or use the U.S. News 529 Finder to choose the best tax-advantaged college investment account for you.

Tuition and fees $41,820 (2014-15)
Room and board $13,620 (2014-15)

Financial aid statistics 
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Applied for need-based aid (63.9%)
Need was fully met (100%)
Received need-based financial aid (58.8%)
Received need-based self-help aid (58.8%)
Average percent of need met (100%)
Applied for need-based aid (63.9%) 63.8549618321
Need was fully met (100%) 100
Received need-based financial aid (58.8%) 58.8167938931
Received need-based self-help aid (58.8%) 58.8167938931
Average percent of need met (100%) 100