Princeton University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with over 20 years of experience helping students transition to college.

Princeton University is an Ivy League research university with an acceptance rate of 5.8%. Successful applicants will need high grades and standardized test scores to be considered for admission. To apply, students can use the Common Application, Coalition Application, and Universal College Application. Princeton has a single-choice early action plan that can improve admissions chances for students who are sure the university is their top choice. The acceptance rate tends to be well over twice as high for early action applicants as it is for the regular applicant pool. Applying early is one way that you can demonstrate your interest in the university. Princeton also considers legacy status in the application review process.

Considering applying to this highly selective school? Here are the Princeton University Admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Why Princeton University?

• Location: Princeton, New Jersey
• Campus Features: Princeton's 500-acre campus frequently ranks as one of the most beautiful campuses in the country with its stone towers and Gothic arches. Sitting on the edge of Lake Carnegie, Princeton is home to numerous flower gardens and tree-lined walks.
• Student/Faculty Ratio: 5:1
• Athletics: The Princeton Tigers compete at the NCAA Division I level.
• Highlights: A member of the prestigious Ivy League, Princeton University has buildings dating to the eighteenth century, top-ranked academic programs, and a residential college system modeled after Oxford and Cambridge.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Princeton University had an acceptance rate of 5.8%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 5 students were admitted, making Princeton's admissions process highly competitive.

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Princeton University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Princeton University has a highly competitive admissions pool with a low acceptance rate and high average SAT/ACT scores. However, Princeton has a holistic admissions process involving other factors beyond your grades and test scores. A strong application essay and glowing letters of recommendation can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their test scores are outside Princeton's average range.

In the graph above, the blue and green dots representing accepted students are concentrated in the upper right corner. Most students who got into Princeton had GPAs close to a 4.0, SAT scores (ERW+M) above 1300, and ACT composite scores above 28 (much higher scores are far more common). Also, realize that hidden beneath the blue and green in the upper right corner of the graph is a lot of red. Many students with a 4.0 GPA and extremely high standardized test scores get rejected from Princeton. For this reason, even strong students with high grades and test scores should consider Princeton a reach school.