Princeton vs. NYU

Comparable Facts

Compare Princeton University in Princeton, NJ with New York University in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

New York University is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (56,832 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); New York University is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. New York University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; New York University 8:1.

Princeton vs. NYU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton or NYU? 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 NYU ($15,313 vs. $30,325).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Princeton University are 13.9% lower than at New York University ($20,250 vs. $23,530).
• New York University is 0.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $108 more per year; $62,796.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at NYU than at Princeton University (about $108 more per year; $62,796.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at New York University (67% vs. 37%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 27.5% larger than aid received by New York University students ($68,727 vs. $53,901).

Princeton vs. NYU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 30 points higher than at NYU (1520).
• Incoming Princeton students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at NYU (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; New York University 1480/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; New York University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; NYU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at NYU (3.79).
• NYU has a higher acceptance rate (9.2%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 55.4% at NYU.

Princeton vs. NYU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton and NYU? 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 New York University's (86%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $37,900 more per year than NYU graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $76,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $15,750 lower median loan debt than NYU graduates ($7,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $163 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NYU graduates ($77 vs. $240).
• More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NYU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 77%)

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.