Washington College vs. Princeton

Comparable Facts

Compare Washington College in Chestertown, MD with Princeton University in Princeton, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Princeton University is larger than Washington College based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 923 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington College is located in Chestertown, MD (Distant Town setting); Princeton University is in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Washington College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington College 8:1; Princeton University 5:1.

Washington College vs. Princeton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Washington 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 Washington College ($15,313 vs. $29,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington College are 9.9% lower than at Princeton University ($18,250 vs. $20,250).
• Princeton University is 13.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington College (about $7,362 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $55,326.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.3% higher at Princeton than at Washington College (about $7,362 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $55,326.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington College than at Princeton University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 58% larger than aid received by Washington College students ($68,727 vs. $43,485).

Washington College vs. Princeton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Washington 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 Washington College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 280 points higher than at Washington College (1270).
• Incoming Princeton students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington College 1140/1390; Princeton University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington College 27/31; Princeton University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Washington College - Test optional; Princeton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Washington College Feb 15, 2027; Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Washington College (3.71).
• Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (56.9%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Washington College vs. 75.5% at Princeton.

Washington College vs. Princeton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Washington 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 Washington College's (75%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $63,100 more per year than Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $16,750 lower median loan debt than Washington College graduates ($7,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $173 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington College graduates ($77 vs. $250).
• More Washington College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.