Kansas State vs Princeton - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Kansas State accepts most of the applications it receives (82%), while Princeton turns away the overwhelming majority (4.4%).
The share of international students differs sharply: 13.1% (Princeton) against 1.7% (Kansas State).
Real money goes to international students at Princeton ($86,736 on average), while Kansas State stops at $5,729.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Princeton lists $95,624 against $43,928 (Kansas State), but after average aid what remains is $16,304 against $27,960.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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 82% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #7). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $57K). Kansas State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 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 Kansas State 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 82% acceptance); Princeton has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 1150).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $57K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 71.1%).
Kansas State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 vs $68,454); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $15,968).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Kansas State | Princeton |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #7 |
| Rank · THE | - | #4 |
| Acceptance rate | 82% | 4.42% |
| Yield rate | 27.5% | 75.4% |
| Median SAT | 1150 | 1530 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.81 | 3.96 |
| Number of applications | 15,432 | 42,303 |
| International students | 1.7% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $57K | $110K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $197K |
| Graduation rate | 71.1% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 85.6% | 99% |
| Median debt | $21,250 | $10,320 |
| Tuition · year | $28,568 | $68,454 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,968 | $79,320 |
| % of need met | 77% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,179 | $21,251 |
| Application fee | $40 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 20,295 | 9,281 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Kansas State or Princeton?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Kansas State accepts 82% of applicants, while Princeton accepts 4.42%.
Do Kansas State or Princeton graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $57K.
How much is tuition at Kansas State vs Princeton?
Sticker-price tuition is $28,568 per year at Kansas State and $68,454 per year at Princeton.
What SAT score do you need for Kansas State or Princeton?
The median admitted SAT score is 1150 at Kansas State and 1530 at Princeton; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Kansas State or Princeton?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Kansas State vs #7 for Princeton.
Which university offers more financial aid - Kansas State or Princeton?
The average aid package is $15,968 at Kansas State and $79,320 at Princeton.
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