Princeton vs Stanford - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Ten years on, graduates of Stanford earn noticeably more: $124K against $110K.
At 3.8% and 4.4%, both admissions processes remain a lottery for any candidate; the difference between them is not an argument here.
The price list does not separate these two: $68,454 and $68,574.
Both universities state that they meet the full assessed financial need, so the gap in list prices need not reach your own bill.
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
Stanford is the more selective of the two (3.8% vs 4.42% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#7 vs #2). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $110K). Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 vs $68,574 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 graduation rate, higher retention, lower tuition.
Choose Stanford 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
Stanford is more selective (3.8% vs 4.42% acceptance); Stanford has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1530).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $110K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 91.9%).
Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 vs $68,574); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $77,279).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Princeton | Stanford |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #7 | #2 |
| Rank · THE | #4 | #6 |
| Acceptance rate | 4.42% | 3.8% |
| Yield rate | 75.4% | 79.9% |
| Median SAT | 1530 | 1550 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.96 | 3.94 |
| Number of applications | 42,303 | 60,646 |
| International students | 13.1% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $110K | $124K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $73K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $197K | $220K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 91.9% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 97.5% |
| Median debt | $10,320 | $12,000 |
| Tuition · year | $68,454 | $68,574 |
| Avg. aid package | $79,320 | $77,279 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,251 | $28,507 |
| Application fee | $75 | $100 |
| Enrollment | 9,281 | 18,121 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Princeton or Stanford?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Princeton accepts 4.42% of applicants, while Stanford accepts 3.8%.
Do Princeton or Stanford graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $110K.
How much is tuition at Princeton vs Stanford?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,454 per year at Princeton and $68,574 per year at Stanford.
What SAT score do you need for Princeton or Stanford?
The median admitted SAT score is 1530 at Princeton and 1550 at Stanford; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Princeton or Stanford?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #7 for Princeton vs #2 for Stanford.
Which university offers more financial aid - Princeton or Stanford?
The average aid package is $79,320 at Princeton and $77,279 at Stanford.
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