Princeton, New Jersey · Private · 5,709 undergrads
Princeton admitted 4.4% of applicants for fall 2025 (1,868 of 42,303, Common Data Set 2025-26). Of the 1,086 students who took a spot on the wait list, 36 were admitted (3.3%). Princeton is test-optional for fall 2027. The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent SAT scores had 1490–1560.
The numbers
Applied
42,303
fall 2025
ACT, middle 50%
34–35
enrolled first-years
Average GPA
3.96
enrolled first-years
Accept their offer
76%
of admitted students enroll
Application fee
$70
waivers exist
See your odds and what families like yours paid. It stays on your device.Add my SAT and income
Can I get into Princeton?
4.4% of applicants get in
Almost everyone who applies is turned down, including many students with perfect grades. The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent scores had 1490–1560 on the SAT.
Likely: even the low end of our estimate is 60% or more, and the college admits at least 25% of applicants. Target: our estimate is 30% or more. Reach: our estimate is under 30%, or the college admits under 15%. Long shot: our estimate is under 12%, or the college admits under 12%. Estimates use the college's admit rate and score range plus your grades and scores. They are not a promise.
42,303 applied, 1,868 admitted, fall 2025 (Common Data Set).
Does Princeton need the SAT or ACT?Optional
No.
Test-optional for fall 2027. 56% of enrolled first-years sent the SAT. Send your SAT if it's 1530 or higher, the middle of what enrolled first-years scored.
Checked on admission.princeton.edu Nov 2, 2026. See the source
Early rounds and deadlines
Restrictive early action is offered: not binding, but it limits where else you can apply early.
We checked Princeton's admissions site on Nov 8, 2026 but couldn't confirm its fall 2027 application deadlines. Find them on Princeton's site
Early-round numbers: Common Data Set, fall 2025.
The wait list
1,370 students were offered a wait-list spot and 1,086 took one. 36 of them got in (3.3%).
Common Data Set, fall 2025.
What Princeton looks at
Counts most
How hard your classes were, class rank, GPA, SAT or ACT scores, essay, recommendations, activities, talent or ability, character.
Also considered
Interview, first in your family to go to college, A parent or relative went there, where you live, volunteering, work experience.
As Princeton rates each factor in its Common Data Set, fall 2025.
Questions people ask
What is Princeton University's acceptance rate?
Princeton admitted 4.4% of applicants for fall 2025 (1,868 of 42,303, Common Data Set 2025-26).
What SAT score do you need for Princeton University?
The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent SAT scores had 1490–1560. A quarter of them scored higher and a quarter lower, so it's a typical range, not a cutoff (Common Data Set, fall 2025).
Does Princeton University take students off the wait list?
1,370 students were offered a wait-list spot and 1,086 took one. 36 of them got in (3.3%).
Where these numbers come from
Admit rate and applicants: Common Data Set, fall 2025 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
GPA, early rounds and wait list: Common Data Set, fall 2025 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
Cost, pay and debt: College Scorecard, 2024-25 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
