Washington University vs Princeton - 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 (1540 against 1530), 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 (#23 vs #7). 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 | Washington University | Princeton |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #23 | #7 |
| Rank · THE | #69 | #4 |
| Acceptance rate | 12.1% | 4.42% |
| Yield rate | 46.7% | 75.4% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1530 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.19 | 3.96 |
| Number of applications | 32,754 | 42,303 |
| International students | 9.4% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $86K | $110K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $61K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $137K | $197K |
| Graduation rate | 94.3% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 95% | 99% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $10,320 |
| Tuition · year | $69,594 | $68,454 |
| Avg. aid package | $75,604 | $79,320 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $26,666 | $21,251 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 16,357 | 9,281 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Washington University or Princeton?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Washington University accepts 12.1% of applicants, while Princeton accepts 4.42%.
Do Washington University or Princeton graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $86K.
How much is tuition at Washington University vs Princeton?
Sticker-price tuition is $69,594 per year at Washington University and $68,454 per year at Princeton.
What SAT score do you need for Washington University or Princeton?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Washington University and 1530 at Princeton; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Washington University or Princeton?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #23 for Washington University vs #7 for Princeton.
Which university offers more financial aid - Washington University or Princeton?
The average aid package is $75,604 at Washington University and $79,320 at Princeton.
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