Principia College vs. Trine University

Deciding between Principia College and Trine University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Principia College Elsah, Illinois
  • Trine University Angola, IN
  • Setting
  • Principia College Rural Fringe
  • Trine University Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Principia College 339
  • Trine University 4,646
  • Type
  • Principia College Private 4 Year
  • Trine University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Principia College
  • Trine University #721
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Principia College -
  • Trine University -
  • Status
  • Principia College Non-profit
  • Trine University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Principia College
  • Trine University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Principia College $34,680
  • Trine University $36,560
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Principia College $34,680
  • Trine University $36,560
  • Room & Board
  • Principia College $13,910
  • Trine University $13,120
  • Average Net Price
  • Principia College $18,248
  • Trine University $25,355
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Principia College $30,402
  • Trine University $25,754
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Principia College 90%
  • Trine University 96%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Principia College -
  • Trine University 3,988
  • Admitted
  • Principia College -
  • Trine University 3,409
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Principia College
  • Trine University 85.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Principia College
  • Trine University 18.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Principia College 1150
  • Trine University 1140
  • Typical ACT score
  • Principia College 21
  • Trine University 24
  • Average High School GPA
  • Principia College 3.34
  • Trine University 3.51
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Principia College B+
  • Trine University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Principia College Easy
  • Trine University Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • Principia College
  • Trine University
  • ACT Range
  • Principia College 19/23
  • Trine University 21/28
  • SAT Range
  • Principia College 1040/1250
  • Trine University 1030/1240
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Principia College Not reported
  • Trine University Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Principia College
  • Trine University Aug 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Principia College 6:1
  • Trine University 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Principia College
  • Trine University
    • Engineering (30%)
    • Business (19%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (13%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Principia College -
  • Trine University 44%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Principia College N/A
  • Trine University $46,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Principia College -
  • Trine University 60%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Principia College N/A
  • Trine University $25,150
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Principia College N/A
  • Trine University $260
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Principia College 59%
  • Trine University 48%
  • % Women
  • Principia College 41%
  • Trine University 52%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Principia College -
  • Trine University Low
  • HBCU
  • Principia College No
  • Trine University No
  • % White
  • Principia College 0%
  • Trine University 79%
  • % Asian
  • Principia College 0%
  • Trine University 1%
  • % Black
  • Principia College 0%
  • Trine University 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Principia College 0%
  • Trine University 4%
  • % Native American
  • Principia College 0%
  • Trine University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Principia College 0%
  • Trine University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Principia College 0%
  • Trine University 2%
  • % International
  • Principia College 0%
  • Trine University 7%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Principia College 0%
  • Trine University 3%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Principia College 10%
  • Trine University 55%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Principia College 70%
  • Trine University 43%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Principia College Yes
  • Trine University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Principia College
  • Trine University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Principia College Yes
  • Trine University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Principia College No
  • Trine University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Principia College
  • Trine University No

Comparable Facts

Compare Principia College in Elsah, Illinois with Trine University in Angola, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Trine University is larger than Principia College based on total student enrollment (4,646 students vs. 339 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Principia College is located in Elsah, Illinois (Rural Fringe setting); Trine University is in Angola, IN (Distant Town setting).
  • Principia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Trine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Principia College 6:1; Trine University 16:1.

Principia College vs. Trine University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Principia College or Trine University? 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 Principia College than Trine University ($18,248 vs. $25,355).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Trine University are 5.7% lower than at Principia College ($13,120 vs. $13,910).
  • Trine University is 5.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Principia College (about $1,880 more per year; $36,560.00 vs. $34,680.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.4% higher at Trine University than at Principia College (about $1,880 more per year; $36,560.00 vs. $34,680.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Trine University than at Principia College (96% vs. 90%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Principia College students is 18% larger than aid received by Trine University students ($30,402 vs. $25,754).

Principia College vs. Trine University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Principia College or Trine University? 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 Trine University and Principia College.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Principia College (1150) is 10 points higher than at Trine University (1140).
  • Incoming Trine University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Principia College).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Principia College 1040/1250; Trine University 1030/1240.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Principia College 19/23; Trine University 21/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Principia College - Not reported; Trine University - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Trine University Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Trine University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Principia College (3.34).

Principia College vs. Trine University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Principia College and Trine University? 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).

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.