Princeton, NJ · Private University
Is Princeton University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$110,066
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$59,710
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$59,710
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$238,840
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.84x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
97.1%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$10,320
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$10,555
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Princeton University graduates earn $65,066 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Princeton University ranked by graduate earnings
67 graduates
60 graduates
19 graduates
18 graduates
54 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Princeton University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Princeton University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $146,624) and the lowest (Neurobiology and Neurosciences: $32,647) is $113,977/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI(1yr data) | $146,624 | 2.5x |
| Economics(1yr data) | $103,041 | 1.7x |
| Operations Research(1yr data) | $100,354 | 1.7x |
| Public Policy Analysis | $98,995 | 1.7x |
| Political Science and Government | $94,020 | 1.6x |
| Mechanical Engineering(1yr data) | $85,328 | 1.4x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(1yr data) | $53,038 | 0.9x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology(1yr data) | $47,050 | 0.8x |
| History(1yr data) | $45,363 | 0.8x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology(1yr data) | $41,848 | 0.7x |
| English Language and Literature, General(1yr data) | $35,178 | 0.6x |
| Sociology(1yr data) | $32,914 | 0.6x |
| Neurobiology and NeurosciencesLowest(1yr data) | $32,647 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton University | 1.84x | $110,066 | Good ROI |
| Yale University | 1.55x | $100,533 | Good ROI |
| Harvard University | 1.72x | $101,817 | Good ROI |
| Carnegie Mellon University | 1.80x | $114,862 | Good ROI |
| University of Pennsylvania | 1.69x | $111,371 | Good ROI |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | 1.48x | $102,491 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Princeton University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $110,066 10 years after starting — $65,066 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.2 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.