Princeton vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

Compare Princeton University in Princeton, NJ with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Vanderbilt University is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Princeton vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton or Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt ($15,313 vs. $25,186).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Princeton University are 8.2% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($20,250 vs. $22,054).
• Vanderbilt University is 7.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $4,810 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at Vanderbilt than at Princeton University (about $4,810 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University as at Vanderbilt University (67% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 6.7% larger than aid received by Vanderbilt University students ($68,727 vs. $64,404).

Princeton vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 10 points higher than at Vanderbilt (1540).
• Incoming Princeton students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Vanderbilt (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Vanderbilt (3.89).
• Vanderbilt has a higher acceptance rate (5.9%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Princeton vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton and Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt University's (92%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $30,800 more per year than Vanderbilt graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $83,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Vanderbilt graduates ($7,500 vs. $14,000).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanderbilt graduates ($77 vs. $144).
• More Vanderbilt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.