West Virginia vs Princeton - 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 (#501-600 vs #7). 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 West Virginia for: lower tuition.
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 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 | West Virginia | Princeton |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #7 |
| Rank · THE | - | #4 |
| Acceptance rate | 89% | 4.42% |
| Yield rate | 26.5% | 75.4% |
| Median SAT | 1110 | 1530 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.70 | 3.96 |
| Number of applications | 20,150 | 42,303 |
| International students | 1.7% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $56K | $110K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $36K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $84K | $197K |
| Graduation rate | 64.7% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 83.4% | 99% |
| Median debt | $22,500 | $10,320 |
| Tuition · year | $28,608 | $68,454 |
| Avg. aid package | $16,730 | $79,320 |
| % of need met | 63% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $36,010 | $21,251 |
| Application fee | $65 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 23,643 | 9,281 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into West Virginia or Princeton?
It's harder to get into Princeton. West Virginia accepts 89% of applicants, while Princeton accepts 4.42%.
Do West Virginia or Princeton graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $56K.
How much is tuition at West Virginia vs Princeton?
Sticker-price tuition is $28,608 per year at West Virginia and $68,454 per year at Princeton.
What SAT score do you need for West Virginia or Princeton?
The median admitted SAT score is 1110 at West Virginia and 1530 at Princeton; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - West Virginia or Princeton?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for West Virginia vs #7 for Princeton.
Which university offers more financial aid - West Virginia or Princeton?
The average aid package is $16,730 at West Virginia and $79,320 at Princeton.
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