Established in 1746, Princeton University is one of the oldest universities in the United States. A part of the prestigious Ivy League schools, it consistently ranks within the top 20 universities in the world. The institution has 8,700 undergraduate and graduate students studying at its sprawling 600-acre campus in Princeton, New Jersey.
Princeton is renowned for its academic excellence, prestigious faculty, and notable alumni, which include two U.S. Presidents, several Nobel laureates, and numerous prominent figures in the arts, academia, government, and business. It continues to attract top students, faculty, and researchers from around the globe and remains a leader in cutting-edge research, scholarship, and innovation. Keep reading to know more about the cost of studying at this university for international students.
Study Costs at Princeton University
The cost of university attendance is more than just the tuition fees—international students also have to consider housing, food, and transport charges. Like most renowned higher education institutes, Princeton University offers a rough estimate to help students calculate the cost-of-living charges. The data here is compiled from the latest information on the university website, which happens to be the projected 2024-25 numbers for undergraduate programs and from 2024-25 for graduate programs.
Application Costs
Your first expense is incurred even before you enter university! Most universities charge students an application fee to apply to their programs. Graduate applicants to Princeton pay $75 to apply to one of its programs. While the undergraduate application fee is not mentioned on the website, it is estimated to be around $70.
Undergraduate applicants who submit their application online through Common Application, an app for undergraduate college admission in the U.S., can apply to one of the many fee-waiver options available.
Tuition Costs
Tuition fees form a large part of university education expenses, especially for international students. Unlike many other universities, Princeton’s tuition costs for students across different programs are usually the same. Often, universities increase their tuition rates from one year to the next.
Bachelor’s Tuition Costs
Princeton charges the same tuition rate for all undergraduate programs. The tuition fee for the 2024-2025 academic year costs $62,400. For 2022-2023, the tuition fee for undergraduate study was $59,710 per year.
The university prides itself on offering financial aid for those who need it, allowing those students to afford a top-class education and graduate without a mountain of debt.
Master’s Tuition Costs
The tuition fee for all graduate students with regular enrollment status for 2024-2025 is $65,910. While master’s programs at Princeton are not centrally funded by the university (like with doctoral programs), external fellowships and assistantships may be available. If a student has no financial support for the program, they are considered ‘self-pay.’
Ph.D. Tuition Costs
The tuition fee for doctoral programs is the same as that for master’s programs. For those with Dissertation Completion Enrollment, or DCE/absentia status, the yearly fee is $4,510.
DCE status is given to those Ph.D. students who haven’t completed their degree within the usually allocated time frame but are still working toward it. Students can be enrolled for up to two additional years as DCE. In contrast, absentia is an enrolment status for students who are not in residence for more than half the term but are involved in work related to their degree.
The university provides complete funding for all Ph.D. students. First-year fellowships cover all costs, including tuition, health plan, and a stipend for living expenses. In the later years, funding is ensured through a mix of internal and external fellowships and teaching and research assistantships. More information about graduate costs and funding details can be found here.
Other Academic Costs at Princeton University
Apart from tuition fees, international students have many other expenses to consider. These vary depending on students’ lifestyle choices and financial situation. Read on to better understand the monetary costs you will incur to study at Princeton University as an international student. Here’s a breakdown of the following fees and other expenses.
Books and Miscellaneous Expenses
For undergraduate students, the university suggests that miscellaneous expenses total $4,050, which includes activity fees and class dues. The university bills $250 for books and personal expenses, paid with tuition, housing, and food costs. Graduate students, naturally, tend to spend more on books and supplies. The university says graduate students spend $2,335 annually on books and supplies alone.
Accommodation and Transportation
A significant cost for international students is the money spent on housing. Accommodation in dormitories on campus is often cheaper than off-campus options. Housing for undergraduates costs around $11,910, considering both on-campus and off-campus in a weighted average.
The accommodation cost for the 2024-2025 graduate dorms/annexes is around $6,095 to $10,630, a standard price for university dormitories. Meanwhile, monthly housing expenses for an apartment range from $1,049 to $4,644. This pricing can depend on the apartment type and your housing preferences.
The university also estimates that students spend between $300 and $5,000 on transportation. Princeton has bus and rail connections that are economical options, but taxis can be expensive.
Living Expenses
Food expenses for undergraduates are $8,340, based on standard meal plans. The costs are higher for Princeton graduate students, at $10,330 for 12 months. The university estimates another $9,060 as personal expenses for graduate students. All graduate students must sign up for the university health plan, which costs $3,510 annually. Undergraduate students who are not already covered by other health insurance are also expected to buy coverage from the student health plan.
Studying at Princeton University as an international student comes with a significant financial commitment, but the university offers several financial aid options that can help offset the cost of attending. Its reputation for academic excellence, research opportunities, and generous financial aid makes this institution a top destination for students worldwide seeking a high-quality education in the United States.
Hopefully, this article about the cost of studying at Princeton University helped you gain information about the institution! For more information about U.S. universities and their programs, you can visit our Study in the USA Page or check out the Open Courses available for international students!
