Central Florida vs Princeton - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Princeton: 4.4% against 44.7% (Central Florida).
The more international environment is at Princeton (13.1% international students) than Central Florida (3.3%).
Real money goes to international students at Princeton ($86,736 on average), while Central Florida stops at $928.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Princeton lists $95,624 against $42,038 (Central Florida), but after average aid what remains is $16,304 against $30,224.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Princeton is the more selective of the two (4.42% vs 44.71% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#401-500 vs #7). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $58K). Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 vs $68,454 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Central Florida for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Princeton for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Princeton is more selective (4.42% vs 44.71% acceptance); Princeton has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 1260).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $58K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 78%).
Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 vs $68,454); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $11,814).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Central Florida | Princeton |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #401-500 | #7 |
| Rank · THE | - | #4 |
| Acceptance rate | 44.71% | 4.42% |
| Yield rate | 33.5% | 75.4% |
| Median SAT | 1260 | 1530 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.16 | 3.96 |
| Number of applications | 55,135 | 42,303 |
| International students | 3.3% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $58K | $110K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $86K | $197K |
| Graduation rate | 78% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 92.3% | 99% |
| Median debt | $18,190 | $10,320 |
| Tuition · year | $24,076 | $68,454 |
| Avg. aid package | $11,814 | $79,320 |
| % of need met | 65% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $20,529 | $21,251 |
| Application fee | $30 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 69,338 | 9,281 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Central Florida or Princeton?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Central Florida accepts 44.71% of applicants, while Princeton accepts 4.42%.
Do Central Florida or Princeton graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $58K.
How much is tuition at Central Florida vs Princeton?
Sticker-price tuition is $24,076 per year at Central Florida and $68,454 per year at Princeton.
What SAT score do you need for Central Florida or Princeton?
The median admitted SAT score is 1260 at Central Florida and 1530 at Princeton; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Central Florida or Princeton?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #401-500 for Central Florida vs #7 for Princeton.
Which university offers more financial aid - Central Florida or Princeton?
The average aid package is $11,814 at Central Florida and $79,320 at Princeton.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Washington University
Northwestern
North Carolina