Princeton University
Princeton University is a private university in New Jersey, founded in 1746. This guide summarises what it publishes on admission, aid and deadlines, with sourced rankings.
Fees, deadlines and requirements can change; confirm them on the university's official pages before applying. Information last reviewed: 3 October 2026
About
International students number 740 undergraduates (12.8%) and 1,491 graduate students (45%) per the university (2026-27 undergraduate, 2025-26 graduate).
Location
The campus is in the town of Princeton, New Jersey.
World rankings
| Ranking body | Overall rank | Source |
|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings | 27 (2027) | Link |
| Times Higher Education (THE) | 3 (2027) | Link |
| U.S. News Best Global Universities | Not verified at source | — |
| ARWU / Shanghai Ranking | 7 (2025) | Link |
Figures above are overall institutional ranks, not subject rankings. Rankings change every year; check each ranking body for the latest edition.
Programmes
- Bachelor's: A.B. and B.S.E. degrees.
- Master's: limited, e.g. M.P.A., M.Arch, M.Fin, M.S.E.
- Doctorate: PhD across 45 departments.
Admission requirements
Bachelor's
International applicants are reviewed like all others through the Common App, with transcripts judged in their educational context and a graded written paper in English. Admission is need-blind, including for international students. The testing policy is on the university's admission page.
Master's and doctorate
The Graduate School is mainly PhD-focused; master's degrees exist in specific programmes. For Fall 2027, deadlines run 15 Nov - 21 Dec 2026 by field; Computer Science, Population Studies and the M.S.E. are not accepting for Fall 2027.
English language requirements
Undergraduate: required if English is not the first language and the school is not English-medium; TOEFL, IELTS Academic, Duolingo and PTE Academic are accepted with no published minimum. Graduate: TOEFL, IELTS Academic or Duolingo; the Graduate School sets no minimum but departments may. Admitted students below TOEFL speaking 5.5, IELTS 8.0 or DET 125 may need further assessment or language coursework.
Fees and cost of living
2026-27 undergraduate budget: tuition $68,140, housing $13,010, food $9,110; total $94,624 for first-years and sophomores, $96,034 for juniors and $96,390 for seniors. Health plan $4,220 if uninsured.
Application deadlines
First-year: Single-Choice Early Action 1 Nov (aid application 9 Nov), decision mid-December; Regular Decision 1 Jan (aid 1 Feb), decision late March; reply 1 May. The page does not label the entry year, so confirm it.
Scholarships and financial aid
Princeton states it meets the full need of admitted international students as for US students; admission is need-blind and aid is grants, not loans (since 2001). It estimates the average aid package above $83,000 in 2026-27 and says families up to $150,000 income have zero expected contribution.
International students
The International Center supports international students.
Campus life and housing
A residential college system; nearly all undergraduates live on campus (per THE). We did not confirm a four-year housing guarantee.
Why students choose it
- Need-blind admission including international students, per the university.
- Aid is grants rather than loans.
- Its world rankings are shown with sources in the table above.
How to apply
- Choose the programme and level (bachelor's / master's / PhD) that fits your academic background.
- Check admission, language and deadline details on the university's official page (links under Sources).
- Prepare documents: transcripts, certificates, passport, English test result, and any essays or references required.
- Submit through the university portal, Common App or UCAS depending on the institution, and pay any fee.
- After admission: obtain the admission document (e.g. I-20 or CAS), then visa and housing.
Almorad helps prepare and follow up your application but cannot guarantee admission; the decision belongs to the university. Contact us or browse the universities list.
FAQ
Is Princeton need-blind for international students?
The university states admission is need-blind including international students and that it meets full demonstrated need.
When is the Princeton deadline?
First-year: Early Action 1 November and Regular Decision 1 January. Confirm the entry year on the university page.
How much does Princeton cost?
The 2026-27 budget for first-years and sophomores is about $94,624 including housing and food; figures can change.
What IELTS score does Princeton require?
No minimum is published; TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo and PTE are accepted and departments may set minimums.
Sources
- Official website — https://www.princeton.edu
- Admission — https://admission.princeton.edu/apply/international-students
- Admission — https://gradschool.princeton.edu/admission-onboarding/prepare/application-deadlines
- English — https://gradschool.princeton.edu/admission-onboarding/prepare/english-proficiency
- Fees — https://finaid.princeton.edu/how-aid-works/student-budget
- Deadlines — https://admission.princeton.edu/apply/first-year-application-dates-deadlines
- Housing — https://hres.princeton.edu/undergraduate-housing
- International office — https://internationalcenter.princeton.edu/
- Ranking QS — https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/princeton-university
- Ranking THE — https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/princeton-university
- Ranking ARWU — https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/arwu/2025
Cover photo: Nassau Hall — Smallbones, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Gallery photos: Bmzuckerman, CC BY 4.0; DimiTalen, CC0; Julian Lupyan, CC0; Smallbones, CC0 — via Wikimedia Commons.
