Princeton vs West Virginia - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
West Virginia accepts most of the applications it receives (89%), while Princeton turns away the overwhelming majority (4.4%).
The share of international students differs sharply: 13.1% (Princeton) against 1.7% (West Virginia).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Princeton awards international students $86,736 on average, West Virginia awards $21,636.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Princeton lists $95,624 against $47,480 (West Virginia), but after average aid what remains is $16,304 against $30,750.
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 89% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#7 vs #501-600). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $56K). West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 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 West 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 89% acceptance); Princeton has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 1110).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $56K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 64.7%).
West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 vs $68,454); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $16,730).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Princeton | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #7 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #4 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.42% | 89% |
| Yield rate | 75.4% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1530 | 1110 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.96 | 3.70 |
| Number of applications | 42,303 | 20,150 |
| International students | 13.1% | 1.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $110K | $56K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $36K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $197K | $84K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 64.7% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 83.4% |
| Median debt | $10,320 | $22,500 |
| Tuition · year | $68,454 | $28,608 |
| Avg. aid package | $79,320 | $16,730 |
| % of need met | 100% | 63% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,251 | $36,010 |
| Application fee | $75 | $65 |
| Enrollment | 9,281 | 23,643 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Princeton or West Virginia?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Princeton accepts 4.42% of applicants, while West Virginia accepts 89%.
Do Princeton or West Virginia graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $56K.
How much is tuition at Princeton vs West Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,454 per year at Princeton and $28,608 per year at West Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for Princeton or West Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1530 at Princeton and 1110 at West Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Princeton or West Virginia?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #7 for Princeton vs #501-600 for West Virginia.
Which university offers more financial aid - Princeton or West Virginia?
The average aid package is $79,320 at Princeton and $16,730 at West Virginia.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Washington University
Northwestern
North Carolina