About Princeton University
This Ivy League university, ranked #1 in the USA by USNews, is a medium-sized, 4 year, private university located in the large town of Princeton, New Jersey. It offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, and the great majority of it’s undergraduate population live on campus. The university is coed and the setting is suburban.
A brief history
Founded in 1746, Princeton is the fourth-oldest college in the US. Originally located in Elizabeth, then Newark, the college moved to Princeton in 1756, where it was housed in it's famous Nassau Hall.
General information
Princeton's campus is spread over more than 600 acres, with buildings representing a wide variety of architectural styles. The current enrolment includes 5,428 undergrad and 2,845 graduate students.
4% 1460 - 1580 32 - 35 3.7 - 4.0GPA
Acceptance Rate Average SAT Score Average ACT Score Aim (top of class)
Quick facts about Princeton
- Undergrad degree: 4 year liberal arts
- Public or Private: Private
- Setting: Suburban
- Residential Status: Primarily on campus
- Number of Undergraduates: 5,428 (approx)
- Number of Freshman: 1,823 (approx)
- Acceptance Rate: 4%
Princeton by the numbers
What is Princeton's QS World University Ranking? #13
What is Princeton's US News Ranking? #1
How many undergraduate fields of study does Princeton have? 99
What is Princeton's Student-Faculty Ratio? 5:1
What percentage of Princeton students are international students? 22%
What percentage of Princeton students live on campus? 99%
What is the median starting salary of Princeton graduates? $69,800 USD
How many varsity sports teams at Princeton? 38
How hard is it to get into Princeton? Very! Princeton’s acceptance rate for the most recent Class of 2024 was only 5.8%.
The 6 most popular majors
18% Social Sciences
With a mantra that calls for 'seeking solutions and serving humanity', Princeton's social science students can chose from a range of disciplines that shape and challenge society's view of the world.
17% Engineering
Princeton engineering students explore the creative application of tools from math and science to solve problems that confront humanity today.
13% Computer and Information Sciences
Princeton's Computer Science Department offers study in theory, networks and systems, graphics and vision, architecture, programming languages, security and policy, machines and computational biology.
10% Biology
Princeton offers introductory courses in cell and molecular biology, chemistry, physics, and statistics, before focusing on core courses in genetics, biochemistry and cell and developmental biology.
9% Public Administration and Social Services
Princeton's highly respected Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs offers a multidisciplinary liberal arts major for students who are passionate about public policy.
6% History
Princeton has structured its history major to both encourage breadth of knowledge, and allow students to focus their studies on an are of historical study of most interest to them.
Notable alumni
Princeton has more than 94,000 living alumni, 26,000 of whom attend reunions annually. Alumni include 18 Nobel Laureates, 27 Pulitzer Prize winners and 2 Presidents of the United States.
Michelle Obama
Former First Lady, lawyer and author
Michelle Obama nee Robinson was inspired to follow her brother Craig (a college basketball athlete) to Princeton University. She majored in sociology and minored in African-American studies, graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in 1985. The former first lady then went on to complete a law degree at Harvard University. Obama is celebrated for her bright mind and constant determination to give back to her Chicago community and beyond.