Princeton vs Washington University - 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%, Washington University admits 12.1%.
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Princeton awards international students $86,736 on average, Washington University awards $68,438.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Princeton: $110K against $86K.
The SAT profile is practically identical (1530 against 1540), so a test score will not tip the balance either way.
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
Princeton is the more selective of the two (4.42% vs 12.1% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#7 vs #23). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $86K). Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 vs $69,594 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.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Princeton is more selective (4.42% vs 12.1% acceptance); Washington University has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1530).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $86K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 94.3%).
Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 vs $69,594); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $75,604).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Princeton | Washington University |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #7 | #23 |
| Rank · THE | #4 | #69 |
| Acceptance rate | 4.42% | 12.1% |
| Yield rate | 75.4% | 46.7% |
| Median SAT | 1530 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.96 | 4.19 |
| Number of applications | 42,303 | 32,754 |
| International students | 13.1% | 9.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $110K | $86K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $197K | $137K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 94.3% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 95% |
| Median debt | $10,320 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $68,454 | $69,594 |
| Avg. aid package | $79,320 | $75,604 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,251 | $26,666 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 9,281 | 16,357 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Princeton or Washington University?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Princeton accepts 4.42% of applicants, while Washington University accepts 12.1%.
Do Princeton or Washington University graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $86K.
How much is tuition at Princeton vs Washington University?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,454 per year at Princeton and $69,594 per year at Washington University.
What SAT score do you need for Princeton or Washington University?
The median admitted SAT score is 1530 at Princeton and 1540 at Washington University; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Princeton or Washington University?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #7 for Princeton vs #23 for Washington University.
Which university offers more financial aid - Princeton or Washington University?
The average aid package is $79,320 at Princeton and $75,604 at Washington University.
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