Princeton vs Kansas - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Kansas accepts most of the applications it receives (93.5%), while Princeton turns away the overwhelming majority (4.4%).
The more international environment is at Princeton (13.1% international students) than Kansas (3.1%).
Real money goes to international students at Princeton ($86,736 on average), while Kansas stops at $11,164.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Princeton lists $95,624 against $47,138 (Kansas), but after average aid what remains is $16,304 against $27,438.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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 93.48% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#7 vs #301-400). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $62K). Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 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 Kansas 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 93.48% acceptance); Princeton has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 1190).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $62K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 68.8%).
Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 vs $68,454); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $19,700).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Princeton | Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #7 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | #4 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.42% | 93.48% |
| Yield rate | 75.4% | 25.5% |
| Median SAT | 1530 | 1190 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.96 | 3.68 |
| Number of applications | 42,303 | 22,363 |
| International students | 13.1% | 3.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $110K | $62K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $40K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $197K | $88K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 68.8% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 86% |
| Median debt | $10,320 | $21,000 |
| Tuition · year | $68,454 | $30,432 |
| Avg. aid package | $79,320 | $19,700 |
| % of need met | 100% | 78.6% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,251 | $27,212 |
| Application fee | $75 | $40 |
| Enrollment | 9,281 | 29,792 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Princeton or Kansas?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Princeton accepts 4.42% of applicants, while Kansas accepts 93.48%.
Do Princeton or Kansas graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Princeton vs Kansas?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,454 per year at Princeton and $30,432 per year at Kansas.
What SAT score do you need for Princeton or Kansas?
The median admitted SAT score is 1530 at Princeton and 1190 at Kansas; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Princeton or Kansas?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #7 for Princeton vs #301-400 for Kansas.
Which university offers more financial aid - Princeton or Kansas?
The average aid package is $79,320 at Princeton and $19,700 at Kansas.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Washington University
Northwestern
North Carolina