Princeton vs Texas Rio Grande Valley - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Princeton admits 4.4% of applications, Texas Rio Grande Valley admits 94.2%.
The more international environment is at Princeton (13.1% international students) than Texas Rio Grande Valley (1.7%).
Average aid for an international student is $86,736 (Princeton) and $6,258 (Texas Rio Grande Valley).
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Princeton starts at $95,624 against $37,183 and ends at $16,304 against $25,941 (Texas Rio Grande Valley).
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
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 94.2% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#7 vs #801-900). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $50K). Texas Rio Grande Valley has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,287 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 Texas Rio Grande Valley for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Princeton is more selective (4.42% vs 94.2% acceptance); Princeton has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 985).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $50K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 50.9%).
Texas Rio Grande Valley has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,287 vs $68,454); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $11,242).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Princeton | Texas Rio Grande Valley |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #7 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | #4 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.42% | 94.2% |
| Yield rate | 75.4% | 55.4% |
| Median SAT | 1530 | 985 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.96 | - |
| Number of applications | 42,303 | 12,137 |
| International students | 13.1% | 1.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $110K | $50K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $29K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $197K | $67K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 50.9% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 78.9% |
| Median debt | $10,320 | $12,950 |
| Tuition · year | $68,454 | $22,287 |
| Avg. aid package | $79,320 | $11,242 |
| % of need met | 100% | 72% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,251 | $14,589 |
| Application fee | $75 | - |
| Enrollment | 9,281 | 31,864 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Princeton or Texas Rio Grande Valley?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Princeton accepts 4.42% of applicants, while Texas Rio Grande Valley accepts 94.2%.
Do Princeton or Texas Rio Grande Valley graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $50K.
How much is tuition at Princeton vs Texas Rio Grande Valley?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,454 per year at Princeton and $22,287 per year at Texas Rio Grande Valley.
What SAT score do you need for Princeton or Texas Rio Grande Valley?
The median admitted SAT score is 1530 at Princeton and 985 at Texas Rio Grande Valley; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Princeton or Texas Rio Grande Valley?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #7 for Princeton vs #801-900 for Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Which university offers more financial aid - Princeton or Texas Rio Grande Valley?
The average aid package is $79,320 at Princeton and $11,242 at Texas Rio Grande Valley.
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