Princeton University
Princeton University, a private Ivy League research university, was established in 1746 as the College of New Jersey in Elizabeth. As the fourth-oldest higher education institution in the United States, it is one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution. The university relocated to Newark in 1747 before settling in its current Mercer County campus in Princeton in 1756. It officially gained university status in 1896, at which point it adopted the name Princeton University.
It offers graduate programs through the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of Architecture, and the Bendheim Center for Finance. It also oversees the Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and houses the NOAA’s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory. Classified as an “R1: Doctoral University – Very high research activity,” Princeton boasts one of the world’s largest university libraries.
The university follows a residential college system and is well known for its eating clubs, which serve as social hubs for juniors and seniors. Competing in NCAA Division I as part of the Ivy League, the Princeton Tigers have won the most conference titles and have produced numerous Olympians among their students and alumni.
- Location: Princeton, New Jersey
- Alumni Nickname: Princetonians, Tigers
- Mascot: The Tiger
2025 Rankings
by U.S. News & World Report
by QS World University Rankings
by Times Higher Education
Undergraduate Admissions Process Summary
Application Deadlines
Early Decision: November 1
Regular Decision: January 1
Application Portal
Common Application, Coalition Application or QuestBridge Application
Standardized Tests
Optional
Recommendation Letters
Counselor or College Official: 1 Letter
Teacher in Core Subject: 1 Letter
On Campus Residence for Freshmen
Required
International Students
English Proficiency
TOEFL: minimum score 100
IELTS: minimum score 7.0
Duolingo: minimum score 130
Interview
Optional
Offered Alumni Conversations
University Specific Requests
Princeton-Specific Questions answered
Graded Written Paper
Application Fee
$75
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Computer Science 13.6%
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Econometrics and quantitative economics 9.7%
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Public policy analysis 9.5%
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History 5.4%
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Operations research 5.1%
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Mechanical engineering 4.2%
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Molecular biology 4%
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Political science and government 3.8%
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Sociology 3.6%
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Electrical and electronics engineering 3.2%
Popular
Majors
Acceptance Rate
Total Students
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African American: 8.75%
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Asian: 23.5%
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Hispanic: 10.05%
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International (Non-Citizen): 12.65%
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Multiracial: 7.17%
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Native American: 0.16%
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Pacific Islander: 0.05%
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Unknown: 0.5%
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White: 37.7%
Campus
Princeton University’s campus is known for its stunning Gothic architecture and expansive green spaces, providing a serene and historic atmosphere. The iconic Nassau Hall, built in 1756, stands as a symbol of the university’s legacy and is central to the campus. Princeton features a blend of modern and traditional architecture, with academic buildings, dormitories, and libraries scattered across lush quadrangles.
Princeton’s residential college system fosters a strong sense of community, with students living in one of the university’s six colleges that serve as hubs for academic and social life. The campus is also home to the renowned Princeton University Art Museum, which showcases both contemporary and classical collections. The university’s athletic facilities, including the large Jadwin Gymnasium and the Princeton Stadium, are situated on the western side of campus, serving as home to the school’s Ivy League athletic teams.
Students at Princeton are encouraged to engage with the outdoors, with ample opportunities for recreational activities, including walking, biking, and relaxing in the many parks and gardens that surround the university. The university’s tradition of service is visible in its numerous student-led organizations that focus on community engagement and global outreach. The campus provides a perfect balance between tradition, modernity, and nature, offering a truly unique and enriching academic environment.
Cost of Attendance
At Princeton, 21.7% of undergraduates qualified for the Pell Grant
Notable Affiliations
Princeton University has produced many distinguished alumni who have made significant contributions across various fields.
In politics, notable figures include U.S. Presidents James Madison and Woodrow Wilson, as well as Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito, Elena Kagan, and Sonia Sotomayor (who attended before transferring).
Michelle Obama, former First Lady of the United States, is also a Princeton graduate. In business, Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, and Meg Whitman, former CEO of eBay and Hewlett-Packard, are among its most influential alumni.
Princeton has also shaped the fields of science and technology, with John Nash, a Nobel Prize-winning mathematician, and Alan Turing, the father of modern computing, earning their degrees there.
In literature and the arts, the university boasts Pulitzer and Nobel Prize-winning authors such as Toni Morrison, Eugene O’Neill, and F. Scott Fitzgerald, as well as Hollywood stars like Jimmy Stewart and David Duchovny.
The university has also influenced journalism, with figures like George F. Will, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist, and Michael Lewis, the author of Moneyball and The Big Short.
In sports, Princeton has produced athletes such as Bill Bradley, an NBA Hall of Famer and former U.S. Senator, and Jason Garrett, a former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
Princeton has one of the most generous financial aid programs in the country. It was the first university to eliminate loans from financial aid packages, replacing them with grants. More than 60% of students receive financial aid, and students from families earning under $100,000 a year typically receive full tuition, room, and board.
Princeton offers a mix of rigorous academics and vibrant campus life. The residential college system fosters a strong sense of community, and students participate in over 500 clubs and organizations. The eating clubs, which serve as dining and social hubs for juniors and seniors, are a distinctive part of Princeton’s social scene.
Some beloved traditions include Arch Sings, where a cappella groups perform under campus archways; Clash of the Colleges, an annual competition for first-years; and the P-rade, a massive alumni parade during Reunions Weekend. Cane Spree, a competition between first-years and sophomores, dates back to the 1800s.
Princeton is widely known for its Public and International Affairs program at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) and its strong STEM programs, particularly in physics, engineering, and mathematics. Its humanities programs, including English and philosophy, are also highly regarded.
Princeton is known for its close-knit undergraduate focus, small class sizes, and prestigious faculty. Unlike some other Ivy League schools, it does not have law, business, or medical schools, allowing it to dedicate more resources to its undergraduate programs. The senior thesis requirement and independent research opportunities are also signature aspects of a Princeton education.