Princeton vs Georgetown - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Princeton admits 4.4% of applicants, while Georgetown admits 13.5%.
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Princeton awards international students $86,736 on average, Georgetown awards $75,050.
On both axes at once the winner is Princeton: lower tuition ($68,454 against $74,732) and a higher median salary ($110K against $103K, Georgetown).
50 points separate the SAT profiles: 1530 (Princeton) against 1480.
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 13.5% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#7 vs #501-600). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $103K). Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 vs $74,732 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 13.5% acceptance); Princeton has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 1480).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $103K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 94.8%).
Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 vs $74,732); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $63,415).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Princeton | Georgetown |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #7 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #4 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.42% | 13.5% |
| Yield rate | 75.4% | 43.9% |
| Median SAT | 1530 | 1480 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.96 | - |
| Number of applications | 42,303 | 26,822 |
| International students | 13.1% | 14.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $110K | $103K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $67K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $197K | $168K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 94.8% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 96.3% |
| Median debt | $10,320 | $15,500 |
| Tuition · year | $68,454 | $74,732 |
| Avg. aid package | $79,320 | $63,415 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,251 | $33,272 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 9,281 | 19,905 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Princeton or Georgetown?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Princeton accepts 4.42% of applicants, while Georgetown accepts 13.5%.
Do Princeton or Georgetown graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $103K.
How much is tuition at Princeton vs Georgetown?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,454 per year at Princeton and $74,732 per year at Georgetown.
What SAT score do you need for Princeton or Georgetown?
The median admitted SAT score is 1530 at Princeton and 1480 at Georgetown; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Princeton or Georgetown?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #7 for Princeton vs #501-600 for Georgetown.
Which university offers more financial aid - Princeton or Georgetown?
The average aid package is $79,320 at Princeton and $63,415 at Georgetown.
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