Princeton vs Iowa State - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Princeton admits 4.4% of applications, Iowa State admits 88.7%.
The more international environment is at Princeton (13.1% international students) than Iowa State (3.7%).
Real money goes to international students at Princeton ($86,736 on average), while Iowa State stops at $12,582.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Princeton starts at $95,624 against $42,789 and ends at $16,304 against $27,124 (Iowa State).
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 88.66% 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 $63K). Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 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 Iowa State for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Princeton is more selective (4.42% vs 88.66% acceptance); Princeton has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 1250).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $63K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 75.3%).
Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 vs $68,454); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $15,665).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Princeton | Iowa State |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #7 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #4 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.42% | 88.66% |
| Yield rate | 75.4% | 28.8% |
| Median SAT | 1530 | 1250 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.96 | 3.75 |
| Number of applications | 42,303 | 23,095 |
| International students | 13.1% | 3.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $110K | $63K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $44K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $197K | $90K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 75.3% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 87.6% |
| Median debt | $10,320 | $22,869 |
| Tuition · year | $68,454 | $28,881 |
| Avg. aid package | $79,320 | $15,665 |
| % of need met | 100% | 78% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,251 | $29,475 |
| Application fee | $75 | $40 |
| Enrollment | 9,281 | 30,432 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Princeton or Iowa State?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Princeton accepts 4.42% of applicants, while Iowa State accepts 88.66%.
Do Princeton or Iowa State graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $63K.
How much is tuition at Princeton vs Iowa State?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,454 per year at Princeton and $28,881 per year at Iowa State.
What SAT score do you need for Princeton or Iowa State?
The median admitted SAT score is 1530 at Princeton and 1250 at Iowa State; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Princeton or Iowa State?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #7 for Princeton vs #501-600 for Iowa State.
Which university offers more financial aid - Princeton or Iowa State?
The average aid package is $79,320 at Princeton and $15,665 at Iowa State.
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