Princeton vs Virginia - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
A place is harder to win where the bar sits higher: Princeton admits 4.4%, Virginia admits 16.8%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Princeton: 13.1% of students against 4.9% (Virginia).
Virginia reports no financial aid for international students, while Princeton awards them $86,736 on average. For an applicant from outside the US that is usually the most important difference on this page.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Princeton lists $95,624 against $80,859 (Virginia), but after average aid what remains is $16,304 against $43,736.
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 16.81% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#7 vs #201-300). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $87K). Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($62,923 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 Virginia 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 16.81% acceptance); Princeton has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 1470).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $87K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 95.6%).
Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($62,923 vs $68,454); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $37,123).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Princeton | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #7 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | #4 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.42% | 16.81% |
| Yield rate | 75.4% | 40% |
| Median SAT | 1530 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.96 | - |
| Number of applications | 42,303 | 58,951 |
| International students | 13.1% | 4.9% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $110K | $87K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $59K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $197K | $130K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 95.6% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 97.9% |
| Median debt | $10,320 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $68,454 | $62,923 |
| Avg. aid package | $79,320 | $37,123 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,251 | $25,137 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 9,281 | 26,470 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Princeton or Virginia?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Princeton accepts 4.42% of applicants, while Virginia accepts 16.81%.
Do Princeton or Virginia graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $87K.
How much is tuition at Princeton vs Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,454 per year at Princeton and $62,923 per year at Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for Princeton or Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1530 at Princeton and 1470 at Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Princeton or Virginia?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #7 for Princeton vs #201-300 for Virginia.
Which university offers more financial aid - Princeton or Virginia?
The average aid package is $79,320 at Princeton and $37,123 at Virginia.
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