Johns Hopkins vs Princeton - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Average aid for an international student is $86,736 (Princeton) and $16,051 (Johns Hopkins).
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Princeton lists $95,624 against $89,539 (Johns Hopkins), but after average aid what remains is $16,304 against $22,380.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Princeton: $110K against $88K.
At 4.4% and 6.4%, both admissions processes remain a lottery for any candidate; the difference between them is not an argument here.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
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 6.44% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#17 vs #7). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $88K). Johns Hopkins has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,170 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 Johns Hopkins for: lower tuition.
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 6.44% acceptance); Johns Hopkins has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1530).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $88K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 93.8%).
Johns Hopkins has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,170 vs $68,454); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $67,159).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Johns Hopkins | Princeton |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #17 | #7 |
| Rank · THE | #16 | #4 |
| Acceptance rate | 6.44% | 4.42% |
| Yield rate | 47% | 75.4% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1530 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.93 | 3.96 |
| Number of applications | 45,895 | 42,303 |
| International students | 15.2% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $88K | $110K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $135K | $197K |
| Graduation rate | 93.8% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 98.1% | 99% |
| Median debt | $10,250 | $10,320 |
| Tuition · year | $67,170 | $68,454 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,159 | $79,320 |
| % of need met | 99.5% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $30,803 | $21,251 |
| Application fee | $70 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 30,210 | 9,281 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Johns Hopkins or Princeton?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Johns Hopkins accepts 6.44% of applicants, while Princeton accepts 4.42%.
Do Johns Hopkins or Princeton graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $88K.
How much is tuition at Johns Hopkins vs Princeton?
Sticker-price tuition is $67,170 per year at Johns Hopkins and $68,454 per year at Princeton.
What SAT score do you need for Johns Hopkins or Princeton?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Johns Hopkins and 1530 at Princeton; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Johns Hopkins or Princeton?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #17 for Johns Hopkins vs #7 for Princeton.
Which university offers more financial aid - Johns Hopkins or Princeton?
The average aid package is $67,159 at Johns Hopkins and $79,320 at Princeton.
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