Trinity College vs. Princeton

Comparable Facts

Compare Trinity College in Hartford, CT with Princeton University in Princeton, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Princeton University is larger than Trinity College based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 2,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Trinity College is located in Hartford, CT (Midsize City setting); Princeton University is in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Trinity College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Trinity College 9:1; Princeton University 5:1.

Trinity College vs. Princeton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Trinity College or Princeton? 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 Trinity College ($15,313 vs. $36,071).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Trinity College are 6.7% lower than at Princeton University ($18,890 vs. $20,250).
• Trinity College is 12.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $8,082 more per year; $70,770.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.9% higher at Trinity College than at Princeton University (about $8,082 more per year; $70,770.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Trinity College than at Princeton University (73% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 32.8% larger than aid received by Trinity College students ($68,727 vs. $51,754).

Trinity College vs. Princeton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 170 points higher than at Trinity College (1380).
• Incoming Princeton students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Trinity College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Trinity College 1298/1470; Princeton University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Trinity College 30/34; Princeton University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Trinity College - Test optional; Princeton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Trinity College Jan 17, 2027; Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Trinity College (3.8).
• Trinity College has a higher acceptance rate (29.2%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.8% at Trinity College vs. 75.5% at Princeton.

Trinity College vs. Princeton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Trinity College and Princeton? 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 Trinity College's (86%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $42,400 more per year than Trinity College graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $71,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $13,500 lower median loan debt than Trinity College graduates ($7,500 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Trinity College graduates ($77 vs. $217).
• More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Trinity College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 81%)

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.