Stanford vs Princeton - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Ten years on, graduates of Stanford earn noticeably more: $124K against $110K.
At 3.8% and 4.4%, both admissions processes remain a lottery for any candidate; the difference between them is not an argument here.
The price list does not separate these two: $68,574 and $68,454.
Both universities state that they meet the full assessed financial need, so the gap in list prices need not reach your own bill.
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
Stanford is the more selective of the two (3.8% vs 4.42% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#2 vs #7). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $110K). Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 vs $68,574 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 Stanford for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Princeton for: a higher graduation rate, higher retention, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Stanford is more selective (3.8% vs 4.42% acceptance); Stanford has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1530).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $110K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 91.9%).
Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 vs $68,574); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $77,279).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Stanford | Princeton |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #2 | #7 |
| Rank · THE | #6 | #4 |
| Acceptance rate | 3.8% | 4.42% |
| Yield rate | 79.9% | 75.4% |
| Median SAT | 1550 | 1530 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.94 | 3.96 |
| Number of applications | 60,646 | 42,303 |
| International students | 13.1% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $124K | $110K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $73K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $220K | $197K |
| Graduation rate | 91.9% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 97.5% | 99% |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $10,320 |
| Tuition · year | $68,574 | $68,454 |
| Avg. aid package | $77,279 | $79,320 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,507 | $21,251 |
| Application fee | $100 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 18,121 | 9,281 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Stanford or Princeton?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Stanford accepts 3.8% of applicants, while Princeton accepts 4.42%.
Do Stanford or Princeton graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $110K.
How much is tuition at Stanford vs Princeton?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,574 per year at Stanford and $68,454 per year at Princeton.
What SAT score do you need for Stanford or Princeton?
The median admitted SAT score is 1550 at Stanford and 1530 at Princeton; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Stanford or Princeton?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #2 for Stanford vs #7 for Princeton.
Which university offers more financial aid - Stanford or Princeton?
The average aid package is $77,279 at Stanford and $79,320 at Princeton.
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