Harvard vs Princeton - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (3.6% and 4.4%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
With housing and meals included, the full cost of a year is $87,926 (Harvard) against $95,624.
Both meet assessed financial need in full; the real cost therefore depends on your circumstances, not on tuition.
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
Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.65% vs 4.42% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#1 vs #7). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $102K). Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,796 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 Harvard for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, lower tuition.
Choose Princeton for: higher graduate earnings, higher retention, a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Harvard is more selective (3.65% vs 4.42% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1530).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $102K).
Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,796 vs $68,454); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $74,387).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Harvard | Princeton |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #1 | #7 |
| Rank · THE | #3 | #4 |
| Acceptance rate | 3.65% | 4.42% |
| Yield rate | 83.6% | 75.4% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1530 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.21 | 3.96 |
| Number of applications | 54,008 | 42,303 |
| International students | 15.7% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $110K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $200K | $197K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 99% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $10,320 |
| Tuition · year | $64,796 | $68,454 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,387 | $79,320 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,262 | $21,251 |
| Application fee | $85 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 21,189 | 9,281 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Harvard or Princeton?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Harvard accepts 3.65% of applicants, while Princeton accepts 4.42%.
Do Harvard or Princeton graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $102K.
How much is tuition at Harvard vs Princeton?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,796 per year at Harvard and $68,454 per year at Princeton.
What SAT score do you need for Harvard or Princeton?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Harvard and 1530 at Princeton; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Harvard or Princeton?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #1 for Harvard vs #7 for Princeton.
Which university offers more financial aid - Harvard or Princeton?
The average aid package is $74,387 at Harvard and $79,320 at Princeton.
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