Princeton University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Princeton University was $57,410 a year.

In 2022, tuition increased 2.5%–from $56,010 the prior year. On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If these numbers feel scary, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students find the actual cost of college is much less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Plus, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college feel more doable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Does Princeton University Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Princeton University is a private, nonprofit institution, so it has the same tuition for residents of New Jersey as it does for residents from other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Attending a college where you are eligible for in-state tuition can save significant money on the total cost of attending college. Take the time to check your state's criteria for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be other criteria too, depending on where you live.

Explore other New Jersey colleges

Is Princeton University's Tuition Different for International Students?

Tuition at Princeton is the same for each student.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or Princeton-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.. International students with need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Princeton:

•On-campus jobs •Princeton-specific loans •Princeton-specific scholarships

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Princeton University Living Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when estimating the cost of attendance for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Princeton.

Room and Board Costs at Princeton

Housing and campus dining at Princeton costs $18,630 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that enables you to eat in the Princeton's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs can depend on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Princeton

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be other costs associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools offer resources for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

The Cost of Transportation at Princeton

The total cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you own a car, or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. At Princeton, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in an urban area is often costly, but cities may offer more buses, trains or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. Princeton Universityis located in a suburban setting in New Jersey, near New York City and Philadelphia.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, be sure to leave some room in your budget for the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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The Full Cost of Attending Princeton University

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending Princeton.

Total Cost of Princeton

What will the cost of attending Princeton be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$57,410
Room and Board	$18,630
Other expenses	$3,500

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$80,590
Off-Campus	$58,460

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at Princeton University

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The majority of Princeton undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2022, 3,272 of the 5,321 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Princeton meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $61,731 a year. Around 17% of Princeton undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Princeton graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $10,299 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$10,973
Princeton-Specific Loans	$5,513
Private Loans	$24,005

Most Common Loans for Princeton Students
Federal Loans	7%
Institutional Loans	13%
Private loans	1%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Princeton financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Princeton University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, Princeton awarded 3,272 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $199 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school.

Net Cost of Princeton University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Princeton students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Princeton was $61,731 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Princeton seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$18,859
Off-Campus	$-3,271

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Princeton really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Princeton's net cost calculator on their website.

Princeton University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Princeton offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Princeton Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

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Learn More About Princeton University

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