Princeton vs Central Florida - 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 (#7 vs #401-500). 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 Princeton for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Central Florida for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
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 | Princeton | Central Florida |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #7 | #401-500 |
| Rank · THE | #4 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.42% | 44.71% |
| Yield rate | 75.4% | 33.5% |
| Median SAT | 1530 | 1260 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.96 | 4.16 |
| Number of applications | 42,303 | 55,135 |
| International students | 13.1% | 3.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $110K | $58K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $197K | $86K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 78% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 92.3% |
| Median debt | $10,320 | $18,190 |
| Tuition · year | $68,454 | $24,076 |
| Avg. aid package | $79,320 | $11,814 |
| % of need met | 100% | 65% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,251 | $20,529 |
| Application fee | $75 | $30 |
| Enrollment | 9,281 | 69,338 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Princeton or Central Florida?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Princeton accepts 4.42% of applicants, while Central Florida accepts 44.71%.
Do Princeton or Central Florida graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $58K.
How much is tuition at Princeton vs Central Florida?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,454 per year at Princeton and $24,076 per year at Central Florida.
What SAT score do you need for Princeton or Central Florida?
The median admitted SAT score is 1530 at Princeton and 1260 at Central Florida; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Princeton or Central Florida?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #7 for Princeton vs #401-500 for Central Florida.
Which university offers more financial aid - Princeton or Central Florida?
The average aid package is $79,320 at Princeton and $11,814 at Central Florida.
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