What makes Princeton different
- Independent work. Students do research projects in their junior year and write a senior thesis, working one-on-one with a faculty adviser.
- Undergraduate focus. Without law, medical or business schools, most of the university's attention goes to undergraduates.
- Residential colleges. First- and second-year students live and eat in residential colleges, small communities within campus.
What the admissions office says (as of October 2026)
- Testing: Test-optional for 2026–27 applicants; the SAT or ACT will be required from the 2027–28 cycle.
- What they look for: Dean of Admission Karen Richardson writes: "we are looking to know who you are," including "curious minds, intellectual spark, a willingness to step outside of one's comfort zone" (August 2025).
- Takeaway: Princeton wants evidence you've challenged yourself in the classes available to you, and a sense of who you'll be on campus.
See all eight side by side: Ivy League testing policies · What Ivy admissions officers look for.
What Princeton students study
The most common bachelor's degrees (class of 2024): computer science (213), public and international affairs (130), economics (124), operations research and financial engineering (72), politics (58) and history (56). Source: IPEDS Completions, first majors only.
You may thrive at Princeton if…
- You'd love to dig deep into one research question with a professor's guidance.
- You want a campus-centered life in a quiet town.
- You value a small student-to-faculty ratio and close mentoring.
Worth asking about
- What does junior and senior independent work look like in the fields you're considering?
- How do students get off campus, to New York or Philadelphia?
How Princeton compares with the other Ivies
Princeton has the strongest focus on undergraduate research among the Ivies and the lowest average net price for students receiving aid. See how the 8 Ivy League schools differ.
FAQ
What is Princeton known for? Its undergraduate focus and the senior thesis every student writes.
How hard is it to get into Princeton? Princeton admitted 4.6% of applicants for fall 2024.
How much does Princeton cost? Published tuition and fees are $62,688 a year and the total cost of attendance is $84,040, before any aid.
How much is Princeton tuition per semester? About $31,344 a semester, half the published $62,688 a year, before aid.
Is Princeton an R1 university? Yes. In the 2025 Carnegie Classifications, Princeton University is an R1 university, the group with the highest research spending and doctoral degrees. What R1 means →
How many students go to Princeton? About 5,700 undergraduates (fall 2024).
Do you enjoy going deep on one topic?
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