Applicants, Acceptance Rate, Yield Trends at Princeton

48.29%

Applicants - since 2015

-2.52%

Acceptance Rate

The average acceptance rate at Princeton over the past 10 years is 5.58%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 4.62%. Princeton maintains an extremely selective admissions process, making it very difficult for applicants to be admitted.

The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 70.29%, and the 2025 yield is 75.48%. Overall, the yield has increased by 11.48% from 2015 to 2025.

The number of Princeton applicants increased by 2.08% (824 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 48.29% overall.

Key Takeaways: Princeton Admission Metrics

Acceptance Rate Overview

The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 4.62%, representing an increasingly selective admissions process. This indicates that Princeton has become more competitive over the past decade, as the institution receives a growing number of applications while maintaining or reducing the number of admitted students.

Yield Rate & Enrollment Patterns

The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 75.48%. This rising yield trend demonstrates that Princeton is increasingly successful at converting admitted students into enrolled students. An increasing yield rate suggests stronger student preference for Princeton and indicates that the institution's admitted class quality and perceived value continue to improve.

Application Volume & Admission Trends

For the 2025 admission cycle, Princeton received approximately 40,468 applications, admitted 1,868 students, and enrolled 1,410 students. The rising application volume trend indicates that Princeton is attracting an increasing number of prospective students over time. This growth in applications typically reflects enhanced institutional visibility, improved marketing initiatives, or increasing perceived value in the higher education market.

Acceptance Rate Changes

Princeton 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at Princeton over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 5.58%, while the most recent rate stands at 4.62%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.

For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 4.62%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 5.40% and for women is 5.86%.

The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at Princeton have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).

YearTotalMenWomen
2015-16 7.14% 6.86% 7.46%
2016-17 6.52%
-0.62%
6.37%
-0.50%
6.69%
-0.77%
2017-18 6.41%
-0.11%
6.17%
-0.19%
6.66%
-0.03%
2018-19 5.48%
-0.92%
5.27%
-0.90%
5.71%
-0.95%
2019-20 5.78%
0.29%
5.42%
0.15%
6.14%
0.43%
2020-21 5.63%
-0.15%
5.40%
-0.02%
5.86%
-0.28%
2021-22 4.00%
-1.63%
4.00%
-1.41%
5.00%
-0.86%
2022-23 5.70%
1.70%
5.67%
1.68%
5.73%
0.73%
2023-24 4.50%
-1.20%
4.45%
-1.22%
4.54%
-1.19%
2024-25 4.62%
0.12%
4.39%
-0.06%
4.85%
0.32%
Average 5.58% 5.40% 5.86%
Princeton University Acceptance Rate Trends Over Time - Historical Admission Rate Data Visualization Chart

Admission Yield (Enrollment Rate) Changes

Princeton has demonstrated an improvement in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has increased from 67.71% in 2015 to 75.48% in 2025, representing a 11.48% increase. The 10-year average yield stands at 70.29%, reflecting strengthening enrollment performance.

The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at Princeton from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has increased by 11.48% over this period.

YearTotalMenWomen
2015-16 67.71% 69.29% 66.03%
2016-17 68.34%
0.63%
69.43%
0.14%
67.23%
1.20%
2017-18 65.63%
-2.71%
65.19%
-4.24%
66.06%
-1.17%
2018-19 69.02%
3.39%
70.94%
5.75%
67.14%
1.08%
2019-20 70.45%
1.43%
72.33%
1.39%
68.72%
1.58%
2020-21 62.45%
-8.00%
64.39%
-7.94%
60.57%
-8.15%
2021-22 77.99%
15.55%
79.04%
14.65%
76.99%
16.41%
2022-23 69.17%
-8.82%
70.43%
-8.61%
68.00%
-8.98%
2023-24 76.66%
7.48%
77.01%
6.58%
76.32%
8.31%
2024-25 75.48%
-1.17%
76.74%
-0.27%
74.30%
-2.02%
Average 70.29% 71.48% 69.14%
Princeton University enrollment rate trends chart showing historical yield changes from 2015 to 2025

Applicants, Admitted, and Enrolled Headcount Changes

Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 34,439, the average number of admitted is 1,885, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 1,321.

The number of Princeton applicants increased by 2.08% (824 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 48.29% overall.

The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Princeton University from 2015 to 2025.

YearApplicantsAdmittedEnrolled
2015-16 27,290 1,948 1,319
2016-17 29,303
7.38%
1,911
-1.90%
1,306
-0.99%
2017-18 31,056
5.98%
1,990
4.13%
1,306
2018-19 35,370
13.89%
1,940
-2.51%
1,339
2.53%
2019-20 32,804
-7.25%
1,895
-2.32%
1,335
-0.30%
2020-21 32,835
0.09%
1,848
-2.48%
1,154
-13.56%
2021-22 37,601
14.51%
1,504
-18.61%
1,173
1.65%
2022-23 38,019
1.11%
2,167
44.08%
1,499
27.79%
2023-24 39,644
4.27%
1,782
-17.77%
1,366
-8.87%
2024-25 40,468
2.08%
1,868
4.83%
1,410
3.22%
Average 34,439 1,885 1,321
Princeton University - 10 Year Applicants, Admissions, and Enrollment Trends Chart

Compare Acceptance Rate Change to Similar Colleges

The following table compares Princeton University' acceptance rate to similar schools.

20242025Change %
Princeton University4.50%4.62%2.67%
Dartmouth College5.40%6.23%-13.32%
Yale University3.87%4.50%-14.00%
Columbia University in the City of New York3.99%4.23%-5.67%
University of Pennsylvania5.40%5.87%-8.01%
Cornell University8.76%8.16%7.35%

Ratings & Review

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