Princeton University is an Ivy League school often touted as #1 by US News and World Report’s annual college rankings. But there is more to this institution than rankings.
Princeton University is known for having a strong liberal arts focus complemented with a variety of STEM programs. This is a campus where Nobel Prize winners teach freshmen, dorm rooms seem like magical castles, and any idea can become a research project. Princeton is also known for its generous financial aid, even offering international students robust awards.
In this blog, we’ll explore campus life, admissions, and academics to answer: what is Princeton known for?
What Is Princeton Known For?
Princeton is one of the oldest colleges in the country, founded before we were even the United States of America. Despite its long history, it remains a relatively intimate research university, home to roughly 5,500 undergraduates and boasting an impressive 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio (double-check this stat).
What makes Princeton special is the extra emphasis on the undergraduate experience. While many universities have larger graduate populations, Princeton deliberately centers its academics, resources, and campus culture around undergrads. It’s known for world-class teaching, its signature senior thesis requirement, generous financial aid, a tight-knit residential college system, and a campus environment that blends high-caliber research with close mentorship.
What Majors Are Most Popular at Princeton?
Among the most popular majors at Princeton are:
Public and International Affairs
Princeton is huge in public service, and the School of Public and International Affairs is a prestigious program where students come to really change the world. Whether you are interested in policy, public service or diplomacy, you will have the opportunity to explore various topics and participate in internships, research, and a senior thesis.
Many graduates head off to law school, but careers in governments, NGOs and international think tanks are plentiful.
Computer Science
If you love the idea of designing apps, mastering cybersecurity, becoming an expert in machine learning, or you just want to be challenged in creating the next big thing, then Princeton’s Computer Science program could be your dream major. The Computer Science Department is ranked among the best in the world, and students regularly gain internships at some of the most competitive tech firms.
Students have the opportunity to take foundational courses, but then choose areas of research, AI, machine learning, algorithms, and more. While the classes are challenging, students are known to receive expert attention from faculty who are also known as world experts in this field.
Economics
It is no secret that Economics is one of the most popular majors at Princeton. Princeton’s Economics program has you start with foundational theories, but then soon move into complex situations on how certain global economies can survive or fail. Taking courses in game theory or global trade is just the start.
Eventually, your education culminates in a polished senior thesis that could very well craft models or challenge arguments that bridge data with economic theory. At Princeton, you will become an analytical thinker, gaining job offers from top consulting firms, investment banking corporations, and public policy organizations.
What Else Is Princeton Known For?
Location
Princeton University is located in New Jersey, but New York City and Philadelphia are both one hour away, giving it the best of both worlds; safe suburban campus with access to major cities. The town of Princeton is a very charming with shops, popular cafes, quant bookstores, and some of the ice cream establishments outside Italy. The area around Princeton is also a biotech research hub with major pharmaceutical companies a bike ride away.
Undergraduate Research
As mentioned before, Princeton is one of the few elite schools in the country that put undergraduates first. All students, regardless of their major, are required to complete a senior thesis or independent project. This means that many students as soon as freshman year will gain the support needed by their advisors and expert faculty members.
Whether you are researching the Louisiana Purchase through the lens of economics, politics, or Indigenous displacement, or arguing how Alexis de Tocqueville analyzed American democracy, equality, and civic life, Princeton University is a place where your ideas become publishable masterpieces. Not only that, but there are also endless funding opportunities for all students. Many students travel around the world to refine their research, which is encouraged.
Eating Clubs
People often joke that Princeton students love food so much they’ve built entire clubs around it. While that is not entirely the case, Princeton University does have an Eating Club culture. These are private, social dining houses where most juniors and seniors have their meals. There are a couple ways to join these clubs, “bickering” being the most common, while signing up through a lottery system is also in place.
Each eating club has a particular vibe, where students hang out, study, have meals and spend weekends relaxing. Whether you join Terrace, Cloister, Ivy or one of the others, you will find your home away from home.
First Generation and Low-Income Students
If you think Princeton is unaffordable, remember that their financial aid packages are some of the most generous around. Families who make under 150K a year get free tuition, making it cost less than some public universities. Princeton is committed to ensuring that first-generation and low incomes truly gain all the resources and benefits needed to succeed.
Students have access to the Freshman Scholars Institute (FSI) and the Scholars Institute Fellows Program (SIFP), administered by the Emma Bloomberg Center for Access and Opportunity. These programs give you access to mentors, research opportunities, and help you create lasting memories with students of similar backgrounds.
Veterans and Transfer Program
Princeton University has one of the best kept secrets in the Ivy League: the Veterans and Transfer Program. Imagine serving your country and then deciding you want to enroll in college. Princeton offers pathways for veterans to gain access to an Ivy League institution with an abundance of resources.
Veterans get application fee waivers, access to the Yellow Ribbon program funds and grants to cover additional costs of their education. It doesn’t end there. Princeton is now committed to enrolling more community college students. Princeton announced last year that it would increase its annual intake of transfer students from around 10–15 to between 25–35.
How Do I Learn More About Princeton?
Taking a tour of Princeton is the best way to find out more about this special place. But tours are known to fill up fast, especially during spring break and summer when most high school students are able to visit. Plan ahead to get an expert tour from a student and learn about their experience and journey.
HelloCollege also has access to some alumni who are willing to discuss their experiences with current students. Other ways to learn more about Princeton is to take advantage of their admissions website, informational webinars, and following their social media accounts. Ultimately, you can always contact your regional admissions officer for more information who would be able to give you detailed answers to any possible questions.
Princeton University FAQs
Is Princeton Religious?
Princeton University is not religious, but students of all faiths or no faith at all are welcome to campus. If you are interested in learning more about religious life at Princeton, definitely head to the Office of Religious Life as they support more than 15 religious groups and organize a variety of events throughout the year.
What’s the difference between Princeton and Harvard or Yale?
If you are a fan of Gilmore Girls, you know Princeton, Harvard and Yale as the “Holy Trinity” of the Ivy League. But all pop culture put to the side, all three have their own unique focus.
Princeton is all about the undergraduate experience. Yale and Harvard have major graduate programs—business schools, law schools, and more. Princeton doesn’t. That means you’ll get better access to professors without competing with graduate students for their time.
Does Princeton offer interviews?
Princeton University offers optional alumni interviews, which can be a unique view of learning more about the university after you apply.
Alumni spend their own time getting to know who you are and see if you are the perfect fit. They are evaluative, which means they can help your application if done well. Often times, students are paired with an alumnus from their own high school.
Mastering the college interview is critical and part of the HelloCollege counseling process. To learn more, reach out to us for a free consultation.
How hard is it to get into Princeton?
Princeton is extremely competitive. For the Class of 2028, it accepted roughly 4.6% of applicants.
How many students attend Princeton?
Is Princeton University public or private?
Princeton is a private university.
Is Princeton Ivy League?
Yes. Princeton is one of the eight members of the Ivy League.
Does Princeton have a medical school?
No. Princeton does not have its own medical school.
Does Princeton have a law school?
No. Princeton does not have its own law school.
Is Princeton test-optional?
Is Princeton D1?
Yes. Princeton athletics compete at the NCAA Division I level.
Does Princeton have Early Action?
Does Princeton have Early Decision?
No. Princeton does not offer Early Decision
Does Princeton track demonstrated interest?
No. Princeton does not formally track demonstrated interest.
Does Princeton have Greek life?
No. Princeton does not have a traditional Greek system.
Conclusion
If you’re seeking a top-tier undergraduate experience with world-renowned professors, Princeton could be the perfect fit. With a 4% acceptance rate, the university looks for students who can make a real impact. On a safe suburban campus with easy access to NYC and Philadelphia, Princeton offers a collaborative, inspiring environment.
Partnering with HelloCollege can help you navigate the admissions process and improve your chances of acceptance to the most prestigious universities—reach out today to learn more.
