Northeastern vs Princeton - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Real money goes to international students at Princeton ($86,736 on average), while Northeastern stops at $24,539.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Princeton lists $95,624 against $92,337 (Northeastern), but after average aid what remains is $16,304 against $45,782.
Ten years on, graduates of Princeton earn noticeably more: $110K against $93K.
At 4.4% and 5.2%, both admissions processes remain a lottery for any candidate; the difference between them is not an argument here.
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 5.2% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #7). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $93K). Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 vs $69,289 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 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 5.2% acceptance); Princeton has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 1490).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $93K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 90.5%).
Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 vs $69,289); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $46,555).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Northeastern | Princeton |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #7 |
| Rank · THE | - | #4 |
| Acceptance rate | 5.2% | 4.42% |
| Yield rate | 53.8% | 75.4% |
| Median SAT | 1490 | 1530 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.96 |
| Number of applications | 98,425 | 42,303 |
| International students | 13.1% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $110K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $135K | $197K |
| Graduation rate | 90.5% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 96.9% | 99% |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $10,320 |
| Tuition · year | $69,289 | $68,454 |
| Avg. aid package | $46,555 | $79,320 |
| % of need met | 86.7% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,461 | $21,251 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 39,774 | 9,281 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northeastern or Princeton?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Northeastern accepts 5.2% of applicants, while Princeton accepts 4.42%.
Do Northeastern or Princeton graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $93K.
How much is tuition at Northeastern vs Princeton?
Sticker-price tuition is $69,289 per year at Northeastern and $68,454 per year at Princeton.
What SAT score do you need for Northeastern or Princeton?
The median admitted SAT score is 1490 at Northeastern and 1530 at Princeton; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Northeastern or Princeton?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Northeastern vs #7 for Princeton.
Which university offers more financial aid - Northeastern or Princeton?
The average aid package is $46,555 at Northeastern and $79,320 at Princeton.
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