Princeton vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

Compare Princeton University in Princeton, NJ with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Princeton University is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

Princeton vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton or Purchase 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 Purchase College ($15,313 vs. $18,211).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 18.8% lower than at Princeton University ($16,436 vs. $20,250).
• Princeton University is 600.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $53,735 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 226.4% higher at Princeton than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $43,485 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY at Purchase College than at Princeton University (72% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 558.8% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($68,727 vs. $10,432).

Princeton vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton or Purchase 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 Purchase College and Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 270 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming Princeton students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

Princeton vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton and Purchase 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $73,700 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $15,000 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($7,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $155 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($77 vs. $232).
• More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 65%)

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.