Princeton vs Temple - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Temple accepts most of the applications it receives (80.5%), while Princeton turns away the overwhelming majority (4.4%).
The share of international students differs sharply: 13.1% (Princeton) against 4.4% (Temple).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Princeton awards international students $86,736 on average, Temple awards $16,607.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Princeton lists $95,624 against $58,550 (Temple), but after average aid what remains is $16,304 against $40,717.
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 80.45% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#7 vs #401-500). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $64K). Temple has lower sticker-price tuition ($40,144 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 Temple 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 80.45% acceptance); Princeton has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 1250).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $64K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 75%).
Temple has lower sticker-price tuition ($40,144 vs $68,454); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $17,833).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Princeton | Temple |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #7 | #401-500 |
| Rank · THE | #4 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.42% | 80.45% |
| Yield rate | 75.4% | 15% |
| Median SAT | 1530 | 1250 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.96 | 3.42 |
| Number of applications | 42,303 | 40,817 |
| International students | 13.1% | 4.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $110K | $64K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $41K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $197K | $92K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 75% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 83% |
| Median debt | $10,320 | $24,395 |
| Tuition · year | $68,454 | $40,144 |
| Avg. aid package | $79,320 | $17,833 |
| % of need met | 100% | 60.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,251 | $41,808 |
| Application fee | $75 | $55 |
| Enrollment | 9,281 | 29,637 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Princeton or Temple?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Princeton accepts 4.42% of applicants, while Temple accepts 80.45%.
Do Princeton or Temple graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $64K.
How much is tuition at Princeton vs Temple?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,454 per year at Princeton and $40,144 per year at Temple.
What SAT score do you need for Princeton or Temple?
The median admitted SAT score is 1530 at Princeton and 1250 at Temple; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Princeton or Temple?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #7 for Princeton vs #401-500 for Temple.
Which university offers more financial aid - Princeton or Temple?
The average aid package is $79,320 at Princeton and $17,833 at Temple.
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