Princeton vs. Middlebury

Comparable Facts

Compare Princeton University in Princeton, NJ with Middlebury College in Middlebury, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Princeton University is larger than Middlebury based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 2,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Middlebury College is in Middlebury, VT (Rural Fringe setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Middlebury College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Middlebury College 8:1.

Princeton vs. Middlebury Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton or Middlebury? 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 Middlebury ($15,313 vs. $26,233).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Middlebury College are 4.9% lower than at Princeton University ($19,250 vs. $20,250).
• Middlebury College is 7.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $4,912 more per year; $67,600.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.8% higher at Middlebury than at Princeton University (about $4,912 more per year; $67,600.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at Middlebury College (67% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 15.2% larger than aid received by Middlebury College students ($68,727 vs. $59,647).

Princeton vs. Middlebury Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton or Middlebury? 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 Middlebury and Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 50 points higher than at Middlebury (1500).
• Incoming Princeton students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Middlebury (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; Middlebury College 1445/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Middlebury College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Middlebury - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Middlebury Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Middlebury (3.89).
• Middlebury has a higher acceptance rate (10.7%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 44.4% at Middlebury.

Princeton vs. Middlebury Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton and Middlebury? 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Middlebury College's (90%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $41,500 more per year than Middlebury graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $72,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $8,389 lower median loan debt than Middlebury graduates ($7,500 vs. $15,889).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $87 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Middlebury graduates ($77 vs. $164).
• More Middlebury graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 83%)

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.