Princeton vs Temple — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Princeton is the more selective of the two (4.6% vs 80.4% 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 ($38,958 vs $62,688 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 (4.6% vs 80.4% acceptance); Princeton has a higher median SAT (1553 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 ($38,958 vs $62,688); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($80,837 vs $17,833).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Princeton | Temple |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #7 | #401-500 |
| Rank · THE | #4 | — |
| Acceptance rate | 4.6% | 80.4% |
| Yield rate | 75.4% | 15% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1250 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.00 | 3.40 |
| Number of applications | 42,303 | 40,817 |
| International students | 23% | 6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $110K | $64K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $116K | $59K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $197K | $92K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 75% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 83% |
| Median debt | $10,320 | $24,395 |
| Tuition · year | $62,688 | $38,958 |
| Avg. aid package | $80,837 | $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 4.6% of applicants, while Temple accepts 80.4%.
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 $62,688 per year at Princeton and $38,958 per year at Temple.
What SAT score do you need for Princeton or Temple?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 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 $80,837 at Princeton and $17,833 at Temple.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern
North carolina