At schools with acceptance rates below 10%, nearly every applicant has near-perfect grades and test scores. Admissions decisions are driven by essays, extracurriculars, recommendations, and institutional priorities — factors no stats-based model can predict. Our likelihood labels reflect academic competitiveness only.
Princeton University is an Ivy League research university in New Jersey renowned for its commitment to undergraduate teaching and a distinctive senior thesis requirement. Its no-loan financial aid policy and small class sizes make it one of the most accessible and intellectually rigorous universities in the country.
Mascot: Tiger
Notable Alumni
Jeff Bezos (founder of Amazon)•Michelle Obama (former First Lady)•Alan Turing (father of computer science)
At a Glance
Cost
Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.
Top Programs & National Ranking
Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.
Highlights
Campus Experience
Forget fraternities — Princeton's social scene runs on its 11 eating clubs along Prospect Avenue ('the Street'), where ~75% of upperclassmen eventually join. Six clubs use a selective admission process called 'bicker' that can feel cutthroat, while five are open sign-in. The eating clubs throw the parties, host the formals, and serve the meals, creating a social system that's uniquely Princeton and occasionally cliquey.
Collegiate Gothic spires, ivy-covered stone walls, Nassau Hall's storied facade, and meticulously landscaped grounds with mature trees make Princeton consistently ranked among the most beautiful campuses in the country.
Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.
Safety
Princeton's Department of Public Safety provides round-the-clock coverage with trained officers, electronic access controls on all dorms, and late-night transportation. Serious violent crime on campus is essentially nonexistent.
The town of Princeton is a small, affluent college town with very low violent crime rates. Property crime is largely limited to bike theft on campus periphery.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Plan Your Visit
Schedule: Weekdays (info session + tour, ~2 hrs) and weekends (tour only, ~1 hr)
Duration: 60-90 minutes for tour; weekday programs last ~2 hours total
Led by Orange Key student guides. Engineering tours available for 11th-12th graders via Tau Beta Pi. Group tours for 10+ require advance request. Download the Adora app (created by Princeton students) for self-guided alternative.
Book a TourDownload the Adora smartphone app created by Princeton students for a self-guided campus tour with narrated stops. Available anytime.
Tour ResourcesOctober (fall foliage on the Gothic campus is jaw-dropping) or April-May (Reunions in late May are legendary but chaotic). Visit on weekdays during the academic year for the full experience. Avoid winter break and summer -- the eating clubs on Prospect Avenue are only buzzing during the school year. The Princeton farmers market (May-November, near the public library) is a great add-on.
Visitor parking in Stadium Drive Garage (Sweetgum Rd) on weekdays 7am-4pm -- register for a free daily permit online or at the garage. After 4pm and weekends, park in any numbered lot. TigerTransit shuttle runs from the garage to campus. From NYC Penn Station: NJ Transit to Princeton Junction, then the 'Dinky' shuttle train (4 min) directly to campus. Check the Dinky schedule -- it doesn't meet every train.
Location
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