Princeton vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Princeton vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton or Vassar? 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 Vassar ($15,313 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vassar College are 9.9% lower than at Princeton University ($18,240 vs. $20,250).
• Vassar College is 13.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $8,342 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.3% higher at Vassar than at Princeton University (about $8,342 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at Vassar College (67% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 19.6% larger than aid received by Vassar College students ($68,727 vs. $57,443).

Princeton vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 50 points higher than at Vassar (1500).
• Incoming Princeton students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Vassar (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Vassar (3.86).
• Vassar has a higher acceptance rate (18.6%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Princeton vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton and Vassar? 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 Vassar College's (91%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $55,500 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $8,280 lower median loan debt than Vassar graduates ($7,500 vs. $15,780).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vassar graduates ($77 vs. $163).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.