Princeton vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Princeton University in Princeton, NJ with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Princeton University is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 405 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

Princeton vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton or Olin College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Princeton University than Olin College ($15,313 vs. $43,184).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Princeton University are 2.7% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($20,250 vs. $20,810).
• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is 5.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $3,710 more per year; $66,398.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.9% higher at Olin College than at Princeton University (about $3,710 more per year; $66,398.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Princeton University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 58.8% larger than aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students ($68,727 vs. $43,290).

Princeton vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton or Olin College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Olin College and Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 20 points higher than at Olin College (1530).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Olin College (3.9).
• Olin College has a higher acceptance rate (25.2%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

Princeton vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton and Olin College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• The graduation rate at Princeton is the same as at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (96% vs. 96%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $7,210 lower median loan debt than Olin College graduates ($7,500 vs. $14,710).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Olin College graduates ($77 vs. $152).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.