Princeton Average GPA (3.96) & Acceptance Rate (4.6%)

Q: What GPA do most Princeton students have?

99% of Princeton University's first-year students who submitted a high school GPA had 3.50 or higher, and the largest group (72%) had a 4.0, as the college reported in its 2025–26 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether these GPAs are weighted or unweighted.

Q: What percent of applicants does Princeton accept?

Princeton University's acceptance rate was 4.6% for fall 2024: it admitted 1,868 of 40,468 first-year applicants, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education.

Acceptance rate: 4.6% for fall 2024

Average high school GPA: 3.96, as reported by the college for 2025–26

SAT, middle 50%: 740–780 reading and writing, 770–800 math

ACT, middle 50%: 34–35 composite

Average net price: $19,811 a year (2022–23)

Princeton GPA calculator

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A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. Princeton University reviews each application.

Princeton University average GPA

Princeton University reported an average high school GPA of 3.96 for its first-year students, in its 2025–26 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether it's weighted or unweighted.

How their high school GPAs were spread:

High school GPA	Share of first-year students
4.0	72%
3.75–3.99	24%
3.50–3.74	3%
3.25–3.49	1%

First-year students who submitted a high school GPA, as Princeton University reported in its 2025–26 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether these GPAs are weighted or unweighted.

An average, not a cutoffColleges calculate GPA in different ways, so these figures can't be compared directly with your own GPA.

Princeton University acceptance rate

Princeton University admitted 1,868 of 40,468 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 4.6%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Princeton University is a private nonprofit 4-year university in Princeton, New Jersey, with 5,813 undergraduates.

SAT and ACT scores

Scores of the first-year students who entered Princeton University in fall 2024 and submitted them. Half of them scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles:

Test	25th percentile	Median	75th percentile
SAT Reading and Writing	740	760	780
SAT Math	770	790	800
ACT Composite	34	35	35
ACT English	35	35	36
ACT Math	32	35	36

56% submitted SAT scores and 21% submitted ACT scores, as Princeton University reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard estimates an average SAT score of 1553 for admitted students.

Admission requirements

What Princeton University looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:

Admission factor	Status
High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned.	Required
RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors.	Required
Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application.	Required
High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average.	Considered if submitted
High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class.	Considered if submitted
College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school.	Considered if submitted
Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores.	Considered if submitted
Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations.	Considered if submitted
Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work.	Considered if submitted
Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college.	Considered if submitted
Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III.	Not considered

Requirements can differ by program and applicant type, so check with Princeton University's admissions office before you apply.

AP credit

Princeton University awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

It doesn't award credit for life experience.

Average net price

First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $19,811 a year at Princeton University in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get into Princeton with a 3.5 GPA?

It would be on the low side there: 1% of Princeton University's first-year students who submitted a GPA had one below 3.5, as the college reported in its 2025–26 Common Data Set, and it admitted 4.6% of applicants for fall 2024. Colleges calculate GPA in different ways, so compare on the same scale and look at your courses and test scores too.

Do you need SAT or ACT scores to apply to Princeton?

Check Princeton University's admissions website for the current rule: testing policies change from year to year. Princeton University was test optional: it considered SAT or ACT scores if you sent them, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education (fall 2024). Of its fall 2024 first-year students, 56% sent SAT scores and 21% sent ACT scores.

What GPA do most Princeton students have?

99% of Princeton University's first-year students who submitted a high school GPA had 3.50 or higher, and the largest group (72%) had a 4.0, as the college reported in its 2025–26 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether these GPAs are weighted or unweighted.

What GPA do you need to get into Princeton?

Princeton University doesn't set a minimum GPA we could verify. Its first-year students averaged 3.96, as reported by the college in its 2025–26 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether that average is weighted or unweighted.

What percent of applicants does Princeton accept?

Princeton University's acceptance rate was 4.6% for fall 2024: it admitted 1,868 of 40,468 first-year applicants, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education.

What SAT and ACT scores do Princeton students have?

The middle 50% of Princeton University's fall 2024 first-year students who sent scores had SAT 740–780 in reading and writing and 770–800 in math; ACT composite 34–35, according to what the college reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A quarter scored below that range.

How hard is it to get into Princeton?

Very hard: fewer than 1 in 10 applicants got in, which makes it one of the hardest colleges to get into. Princeton University admitted 4.6% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.

How important is GPA for getting into Princeton?

It's one factor among several: Princeton University requires high school record, recommendations and essay or personal statement. It considers high school GPA, high school class rank, college preparatory program, test scores, demonstration of competencies, work experience and legacy status if you send them. It doesn't consider other tests. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Does Princeton give credit for AP exams?

Yes. Princeton University awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

What is the average net price at Princeton?

First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $19,811 a year at Princeton University in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Sources

College Navigator: Princeton UniversityU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
Princeton University Common Data Set 2025–26Princeton University: average high school GPA of first-year students and how their GPAs were spread.
College Scorecard dataAverage SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release).

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