Study in Princeton, The United States

About Princeton

Princeton is a small town in central New Jersey, roughly halfway between New York City and Philadelphia, whose life revolves around Princeton University. The university's address is 1 Nassau Hall, the building that served as the capital of the United States for four months in 1783, when it hosted the Continental Congress.

For a student, Princeton means a residential campus in a quiet, green setting rather than a big city. College Navigator classifies the campus setting as a small city. The town also has independent schools that take children from pre-kindergarten to the end of high school.

Studying in Princeton

This directory lists one university and two private schools in Princeton. Teaching is in English.

• Princeton University is a private, not-for-profit university with 9,137 students, 5,813 of them undergraduates, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, according to College Navigator. Students apply to the university as a whole, not to a department, and then take either a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) or a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.). They choose from 37 concentrations and more than 50 minors and certificate programmes. The university also awards master's degrees and research doctorates.
• Princeton Day School is an independent school from PreK to grade 12, with a Lower School (PreK to grade 4), a Middle School (grades 5 to 8) and an Upper School (grades 9 to 12). Its campus is on Great Road.
• Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart is a private Catholic school for girls from preschool to grade 12; its early school is co-educational. It belongs to the Sacred Heart network of nearly 200 schools worldwide and welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds.

Admission and student visa

Princeton reviews applications from international students in the same way as those from the United States, and admission is need-blind. Applicants whose native language is not English must take the TOEFL, IELTS Academic, the Duolingo English Test or PTE Academic, unless they have spent at least three years at a secondary school that teaches in English.

International students usually need an F student visa to study at an accredited college or university. After admission, the school's international student office sends a Form I-20 (or a DS-2019 for J exchange programmes), which you present when you apply for the visa. According to EducationUSA, the academic year typically runs from September to May, and international students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week in their first year.

Cost of living for students

Princeton University gives tuition of $68,140 for the 2026-27 academic year, and $90,574 for tuition, fees, housing and food together. The university applies the same financial aid policy to international students as to US students: it meets the full need of every admitted student with grants rather than loans. It does not offer academic or athletic merit scholarships.

Housing is guaranteed on campus for all four years. First- and second-year students must live on campus and are assigned to one of the residential colleges, which also organise meals, seminars and activities. Nearly all juniors and seniors also choose to live on campus.

Getting around and daily life

The campus and the town centre are compact and walkable. The municipality runs the Loop Express, a free bus that connects businesses, events and regional transit. Lake Carnegie, on the edge of campus, is home to the university's rowing teams.

Princeton has four distinct seasons. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Trenton-Mercer Airport, the nearest main weather station, give an average of 32.0 °F (0 °C) in January and 76.3 °F (about 24.5 °C) in July.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a year at Princeton University cost?

For 2026-27, tuition is $68,140, and tuition, fees, housing and food together come to $90,574, according to the university. Students who qualify for aid receive grants that do not have to be repaid.

Can international students get financial aid at Princeton?

Yes. Princeton applies the same need-based aid policy to international students and meets the full need of every admitted student. There are no merit scholarships.

Do I need an English test to apply?

Yes, if English is not your native language and your school does not teach in English. Princeton accepts the TOEFL, IELTS Academic, the Duolingo English Test and PTE Academic.

Which schools are in Princeton?

This directory lists Princeton University and two private schools: Princeton Day School and Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart.