How to Get Into Princeton: Acceptance Rate & Strategies
July 18, 2025
Tom Cruise鈥檚 iconic Princeton University interview in the 鈥�80s classic Risky Business leads his character, Joel Goodson, to receive an against-all-odds letter of acceptance. Back in 1983 when the film debuted, the Princeton University acceptance rate was a comparatively unintimidating 20%. Today, the acceptance rate is roughly one-fifth that figure, rendering brash, profanity-laced alumni interviews in the middle of a high school party even less likely to lead to a real-life Princeton acceptance letter. The matter of how to get into Princeton does not hold a simple answer.
In 2025, every wanna-be Tiger boasts amazing academic credentials (candidates with a perfect unweighted 4.0 are historically only accepted at an 8.0% clip) and often equally impressive achievements outside of the classroom. So, what separates those who get in from those who get rejected? The intent of this article is to give those considering applying to Princeton University an understanding of:
- Princeton acceptance rate (plus how to predict your chances with our free admissions calculator)
- Where is Princeton University?
- SAT, ACT, GPA, and class rank of accepted Princeton applicants
- Admissions trends
- How to stand out on your Princeton application
- Princeton鈥檚 system for rating applicants
- A look at the demographics of current Princeton undergraduates
- The percentage of accepted students that attend Princeton (yield rate)
- Tips for applying to Princeton
- How to approach the Princeton supplemental essays
- How to assess whether applying to Princeton is even worth the $70 application fee (for you)
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Where is Princeton University?
Princeton University is located in the town of Princeton, a quiet suburban town in central New Jersey. The town of Princeton is part of Mercer County and the University has been a presence since 1746, making it the fourth oldest college in the country.
Princeton Acceptance Rate
For the past several years, Princeton has opted to withhold admissions data during the cycle. As such, the Class of 2029 acceptance rate isn’t available. Princeton has declined to even publicly state the total number of applicants. Moreover, they have not releases acceptance data for their SCEA (Single Choice Early Action) round, though it is believed to be at least several points higher than the regular round. Fun fact: the last time that Princeton鈥檚 acceptance rate was in the double digits was for the Class of 2009 (11%).
For the Class of 2028, Princeton received 40,468 applications and accepted 1,868. Therefore, Princeton’s overall acceptance rate is 4.6%.
Historical Princeton University acceptance rates are as follows:
| Applicants | Admits | Acceptance Rate | |
| Class of 2027 | 39,644 | 1,782 | 4.5% |
| Class of 2026 | 38,019 | 2,167 | 5.7% |
| Class of 2025 | 37,601 | 1,647 | 4.4% |
| Class of 2024 | 32,835 | 1,848 | 5.6% |
What GPA do you need to get into Princeton?
Among enrolled 2024-2025 first-year students, the average GPA was 3.95. Moreover, 94% of students had a GPA of 3.75 or higher.
What class rank do you need to get accepted to Princeton?
Princeton does not report the class rank of its enrolled first-years. However, based on enrolled students’ average GPA as well as the class rank distribution at comparable institutions, you’ll be most competitive if you’re in the top 10-25% of your graduating class.
What is the minimum SAT or ACT score for Princeton?
According to Class of 2028 statistics, the mid-50% SAT range for enrolled freshmen was 1500-1560. Meanwhile, the mid-50% ACT score was 34-35.
Although Princeton is test-optional and will remain so for the next several cycles, about 77% of enrolled students submitted test scores.
Admissions Trends & Notes 鈥� Class of 2028
- Princeton is aiming to expand its undergraduate student body by about 500 people in the coming years, which is why the past several incoming classes have fluctuated in regard to size.
- The percentage of members of the class whose parents went to Princeton (legacies) has been around 10% in recent years.
- The students came from 48 states (all except Montana and South Dakota), plus Washington, D.C., Guam, and Puerto Rico.
- International students from 56 countries were part of the Class of 2028.
- 71% of students qualified for financial aid.
- Lastly, 16% of those in the Class of 2028 were first-generation students.
- Historically, Princeton fills about 40% of the class in the SCEA round.
How can I stand out on my Princeton application?
In effect, Princeton is looking for young people who are among the best, or, have the potential to be among the very best at something in the world. They also place a great emphasis on diversity across ethnic and socioeconomic lines. In their own words, the admissions staff is seeking a 鈥渧ariety of talents, personal qualities, experiences and points of view in each incoming class. There are some qualities we hope all Princeton students share: integrity, a deep interest in learning, and a devotion to both academic and non-academic pursuits. Many students also bring distinctive academic and extracurricular talents and achievements.鈥�
Just look at the list of notable Tiger alumni and you鈥檒l get a sense of what the university is looking for: the next generation of politicians (Ralph Nadar, Woodrow Wilson鈥攁 subject of current controversy on campus), award-winning writers (Michael Lewis, Jennifer Weiner) entrepreneurs (Jeff Bezos, Steve Forbes) actors/actresses/filmmakers (Jimmy Stewart, Ethan Cohen, Brooke Shields) whose contributions greatly influence the world in which we live.
Additionally, recruited athletes enjoy a huge edge. This is because Princeton takes great pride in its and athletes comprise 20% of the student body.
For advice about how to stand out on the extracurricular front, check out our previous blog entitled听How Many Extracurricular Activities Do I Need for College?
How Princeton Rates Applicants
Princeton considers nine factors as 鈥渧ery important鈥� to the admissions process: rigor of high school courseload, class rank. GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendation letters, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, and character/personal qualities. Items that are 鈥渃onsidered鈥� as part of the admissions process are: interview, first generation, legacy status, geographical location, volunteer work, and paid work experience.
Princeton is looking for genuine excellence in one or more activities. For example, you won a well-regarded physics, chemistry, or math competition, you are one of the top cellists in the United States, you conducted original scientific research with a university professor, or you started a charitable organization that made a significant local, national, or global impact. This is one of the reasons Princeton has such a low acceptance rate.
Who Actually Gets Into Princeton?
Geographically, the Class of 2028 was comprised of the greatest numbers of students from the following U.S. states:
- New Jersey: 193
- New York: 174
- California: 143
- Pennsylvania: 67
- Texas: 66
- Massachusetts: 59
- Florida: 50
- Connecticut: 45
- Maryland: 43
- Georgia: 39
- Virginia: 38
The fewest number of students came from the following U.S. states:
- North Dakota: 1
- South Dakota: 0
- Montana: 0
- Alaska: 1
- Idaho: 2
- South Carolina: 1
Competition is stiffest among those hailing from states with endless streams of qualified applicants (the entire Northeast & the West Coast). Additionally, if you hail from the Deep South, like Alabama or Mississippi, or a less-populated state, like Wyoming or North Dakota, your location is more likely to provide a boost to your admissions chances at Princeton.
Looking next at ethnic identity, the breakdown of the Class of 2028 was as follows:
- Asian American: 23.8%
- White: 31.3
- Hispanic: 9%
- Black or African American: 8.9%
- Multiracial (non-Hispanic): 7.2%
- American Indian: <1%
- International Citizens: 12%
Looking at the type of school attended, the majority of 2024-25 freshmen at Princeton hailed from public high schools. The breakdown was as follows:
- Public: 64.2%
- Independent Day: 16.7%
- Religiously Affiliated: 9.9%
- Independent Boarding: 8.2%
- Home Schooled: <1%
- Military: <1%
- Non-US Schools: 11.1%
In regard to gender, the Class of 2028 was evenly split:
- Male: 49%
- Female: 51%
Yield Rate
Princeton鈥檚 yield rate was an astoundingly high 75% for the Class of 2028, similar to schools like MIT, Harvard, and Stanford. For comparison, elite schools such as Georgetown, Pomona, Bowdoin, Barnard, Vanderbilt, Northwestern, and Duke all have yield rates at or under the 60% mark. The bottom line is that Princeton is the first choice of the vast majority who apply. Keep this in mind as you consider Princeton’s ultra-low acceptance rate.
Tips for Applying to Princeton
If you plan on joining the 40,000+ Princeton hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:
- Princeton has extended its test-optional policy through the fall of 2025.
- Princeton does offer alumni interviews. While this is not a required component of one鈥檚 application, students should avail themselves of the opportunity if an interview can be arranged in their geographic area. 听For advice on what types of questions you should be prepared to answer/ask visit our blog鈥�College Interview Tips.
- Next, Princeton does not consider 鈥�demonstrated interest,鈥� so you will not be judged on whether or not you made a campus visit, contacted an admissions officer, etc.
- Make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the supplemental essays and short answers required by Princeton. In the 2025-26 cycle, they are as follows:
Required for all:
1)听Princeton values community and encourages students, faculty, staff and leadership to engage in respectful conversations that can expand their perspectives and challenge their ideas and beliefs. As a prospective member of this community, reflect on how your lived experiences will impact the conversations you will have in the classroom, the dining hall or other campus spaces. What lessons have you learned in life thus far? What will your classmates learn from you? In short, how has your lived experience shaped you?听(500 words or fewer)
2)听Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. How does your own story intersect with these ideals?听(250 words or fewer)
3) What is a new skill you would like to learn in college? (50 words or fewer).
4) What brings you joy?听
5) What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment? (50 words or fewer).
Degree-Specific:
Depending on whether you are applying to an A.B. or B.S.E. program, you鈥檒l need to answer an additional essay question:
A.B. (or Undecided) Essay
As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests? (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.)
B.S.E. Essay
Please describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton. Include any of your experiences in or exposure to engineering, and how you think the programs offered at the University suit your particular interests. (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.)
Graded Paper:
Princeton requires you to submit a graded written paper as part of your application. You may submit this material now or any time before the application deadline. If you choose not to upload the required paper at this time, you may mail, e-mail, or upload your paper through the applicant portal.
For a detailed look at how to tackle these essays, visit our blog entitled:听Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompts and Tips.
Should I apply to Princeton?
Those with SAT/ACT scores within the mid-50% mark for Princeton who are also at the very top of their respective high school class are absolutely viable candidates for Princeton. As such, it is worth any star student鈥檚 time and $70 to submit an application. Whether or not you will be among the less than 4% who are offered admission will come down to many of the factors mentioned throughout this blog.
Princeton University Acceptance Rate – Final Thoughts
It goes without saying that all teens applying to this or any other Ivy need to also have a proper mix of “target” and “safety” schools on their college list. More on creating a balanced college list can be found here.
Ready to start crafting your college applications? You might consider checking out the following:
