Princeton vs Johns hopkins — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Princeton is the more selective of the two (4.6% vs 6.4% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#7 vs #17). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $88K). Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($62,688 vs $65,230 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 (4.6% vs 6.4% acceptance).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $88K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 93.8%).
Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($62,688 vs $65,230); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($80,837 vs $67,159).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Princeton | Johns hopkins |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #7 | #17 |
| Rank · THE | #4 | #16 |
| Acceptance rate | 4.6% | 6.4% |
| Yield rate | 75.4% | 47% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.00 | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 42,303 | 45,895 |
| International students | 23% | 32% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $110K | $88K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $116K | $89K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $197K | $135K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 93.8% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 98.1% |
| Median debt | $10,320 | $10,250 |
| Tuition · year | $62,688 | $65,230 |
| Avg. aid package | $80,837 | $67,159 |
| % of need met | 100% | 99.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,251 | $30,803 |
| Application fee | $75 | $70 |
| Enrollment | 9,281 | 30,210 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Princeton or Johns hopkins?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Princeton accepts 4.6% of applicants, while Johns hopkins accepts 6.4%.
Do Princeton or Johns hopkins graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $88K.
How much is tuition at Princeton vs Johns hopkins?
Sticker-price tuition is $62,688 per year at Princeton and $65,230 per year at Johns hopkins.
What SAT score do you need for Princeton or Johns hopkins?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Princeton and 1553 at Johns hopkins; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Princeton or Johns hopkins?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #7 for Princeton vs #17 for Johns hopkins.
Which university offers more financial aid — Princeton or Johns hopkins?
The average aid package is $80,837 at Princeton and $67,159 at Johns hopkins.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Washington university
Northwestern
North carolina
Duke