Princeton University's Graduation Rates: How Many Make The Cut?

Princeton University is a private Ivy League research university in Princeton, New Jersey. It was founded in 1746 as the College of New Jersey, making it one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States. The university offers undergraduate and graduate instruction in various fields to approximately 8,500 students on its main campus. Princeton's undergraduate enrollment for the fall of 2023 was 5,671 students, and the university ranks first in National Universities in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges.

Princeton University's undergraduate enrollment

Princeton University, a private Ivy League research university, offers undergraduate and graduate instruction in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. The university's undergraduate enrollment for the fall of 2023 was 5,671 students. This figure represents the total number of students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) or a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.) degree at Princeton.

The university's main campus spans 600 acres, with additional locations such as the James Forrestal Campus and the planned Lake Campus North. Princeton's undergraduate population benefits from a low student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, allowing for a more intimate and personalized learning experience. The university guarantees housing for all four years of undergraduate study, with over 98% of undergraduates choosing to live on campus.

The undergraduate experience at Princeton is shaped by its residential college system, which provides a sense of community and support. Students are assigned to one of the seven residential colleges, each with its unique architecture, amenities, and faculty leadership. This system fosters a close-knit environment that enhances academic and social life.

Princeton's undergraduate curriculum follows a liberal arts approach, with students choosing from 36 concentrations or creating their own. The university emphasizes independent work, requiring A.B. students to complete two junior papers and a senior thesis. B.S.E. students also engage in independent projects, often in the form of design projects or senior theses.

Princeton's selective undergraduate program admitted only 5.8% of applicants for the 2019-2020 admissions cycle, making it a highly competitive institution. The university's strong focus on academics and research is reflected in its top rankings in U.S. News & World Report's national university rankings.

The number of graduate students

Princeton University is a private Ivy League research university in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. It offers graduate degrees 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.

As of the 2019-2020 academic year, the Graduate School enrolled 2,971 students. Approximately 40% of these students were female, 42% were international, and 35% of domestic students were members of a U.S. minority group. The average time to complete a doctoral degree was 5.7 years. The university awarded 318 Ph.D. degrees and 174 final master's degrees for the 2019-2020 academic year.

The Graduate School offers degrees in 42 academic departments and programs, which span the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. Doctoral education is available for all departments, while master's degrees are only available in the architecture, engineering, finance, and public policy departments. Doctoral education focuses on original, independent scholarship, whereas master's degrees focus more on career preparation in both public life and professional practice. Graduate students can also concentrate in an interdisciplinary program and be granted a certificate. Joint degrees are available for several disciplines, as are dual M.D./Ph.D. or M.P.A./J.D. programs.

Princeton is one of the world's most prominent research universities, featuring at the top of U.S. News & World Report's national university rankings for the ninth consecutive year in 2024, as well as topping comparable lists by Forbes and The Wall Street Journal.

The university's graduation rate

Princeton University is a private Ivy League research university in Princeton, New Jersey. It was founded in 1746 as the College of New Jersey, making it one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States. The university provides undergraduate and graduate instruction in various fields to approximately 8,500 students on its main campus.

In addition to its high graduation rate, Princeton also boasts a low student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, ensuring that students receive a high level of academic support and guidance. The university's academic programs are highly ranked, with Princeton University being ranked as the number one university in National Universities in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges.

The university's strong graduation rate can be attributed to its rigorous academic programs, low student-to-faculty ratio, and emphasis on independent work. Princeton's reputation for academic excellence attracts high-achieving students who are committed to their studies. The university also offers a range of resources and support services to help students succeed and graduate within the expected timeframe.

Furthermore, Princeton University has a rich history and tradition, with notable alumni including U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, model/actress Brooke Shields, and former first lady Michelle Obama. The university's campus spans 600 acres and features historic buildings, including Nassau Hall, which dates back to 1756.

The percentage of graduates with debt

Princeton University's financial aid policy is recognised as one of the most generous in the country. The university's financial aid packages are built on grants rather than loans, allowing students to graduate debt-free. In fact, Princeton is likely to be more affordable than a state university for lower- and middle-income students. The university was the first in the country to eliminate the need for students to take out loans. Every financial aid package relies on grants, not loans that have to be repaid. This makes it possible to graduate from Princeton debt-free.

About 83% of recent Princeton seniors graduated debt-free. While a majority of recent Princeton seniors graduated without debt, about 17% chose to borrow, usually for additional expenses such as an unpaid internship or a laptop computer. For those Princeton seniors who chose to borrow, their average total indebtedness over four years was $6,600. This is much lower than the approximately 70% of college seniors in the United States who graduated with loans in 2013 and carried an average debt of $28,400.

The average federal loan is $4,903, which is 89.1% of the first-year borrowing cap of $5,500 for the typical first-year dependent student. The average loan amount for all undergraduates at Princeton University is $5,756 per year. 3.0% of all undergraduate students (including freshmen) at Princeton University utilise federal student loans to help pay for their college education, averaging $5,756 per year. This amount is 17.4% higher than the $4,903 borrowed by freshmen.

In the 2014-15 academic year, about 60% of Princeton undergraduates received financial aid. As a result of the university's efforts to increase the economic diversity of the student body, 18% of the freshman Class of 2018 received Pell grants, up from 7.2% for the freshman Class of 2008. Federal Pell Grants provide need-based grants to low-income undergraduates.

The number of international students

Princeton University is a popular choice for international students, with a total of 1,824 international students on campus as of 2018, out of a total of 7,853 students. This includes 557 international undergraduates out of a total of 4,774 undergraduates. International students make up about 23.2% of the student body.

Princeton welcomes applications from international students and treats them the same as US students in the admission and financial aid process. The university meets the full need of all admitted international students, and their ability to pay is not a factor in the admission decision. International students must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or equivalent and the SAT or ACT.

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