Admissions · United States

Princeton Acceptance Rate: Admissions Statistics and English Requirements

Princeton admitted 4.1% of first-year applicants for fall 2026 (Class of 2030): 1,892 of a record 46,618.

Princeton no longer announces its admit rate on decision day, so the reliable figures come later in the year: the university's Princeton Profile for the newest class and its Common Data Set for earlier ones. Below are the last three cycles, the rates for international, transfer and wait-listed applicants, and Princeton's English requirements for international students.

Figures read from official sources on 3 October 2026 · LingoLeap Admissions Research

Princeton University acceptance rate by year

Princeton University applicants, admits and acceptance rate by admission cycle
Cycle	Applicants	Admitted	Acceptance rate
Fall 2026 (Class of 2030)	46,618	1,892	4.1% source
Fall 2025 (Class of 2029)	42,303	1,868	4.4% source
Fall 2024 (Class of 2028)	40,468	1,868	4.6% source

Princeton acceptance rate by applicant group

Princeton University acceptance rate by admission round, college or applicant group
Group	Cycle	Rate	Detail
International applicants	Fall 2026 (Class of 2030)	1.9%	221 admitted of 11,679 source
International applicants	Fall 2025 (Class of 2029)	2.3%	241 admitted of 10,567 source
International applicants	Fall 2024 (Class of 2028)	2.1%	209 admitted of 9,891 source
Out-of-state (US)	Fall 2025 (Class of 2029)	5.2%	1,398 admitted of 27,134 source
In-state (New Jersey)	Fall 2025 (Class of 2029)	5.0%	229 admitted of 4,602 source
Wait list	Fall 2025 (Class of 2029)	3.3%	36 admitted of 1,086 who accepted a wait-list place (1,370 offered) source
Wait list	Fall 2024 (Class of 2028)	2.9%	40 admitted of 1,396 who accepted a wait-list place (1,734 offered) source
Transfer	Fall 2025	1.8%	42 admitted of 2,274 source
Transfer	Fall 2024	1.9%	38 admitted of 1,985 source
Graduate School (master's and doctoral)	2026-27	6%	1,175 admitted of 19,879 source

What the numbers mean

Applications to Princeton have risen every year, from 40,468 for fall 2024 to 46,618 for fall 2026, while the number of admits has stayed near 1,870–1,890. That is why the acceptance rate has fallen from 4.6% to 4.1% over three cycles.

Princeton has two first-year rounds: Single-Choice Early Action (deadline 1 November), which is restrictive but not binding, and Regular Decision (1 January). It has no Early Decision. Princeton does not publish how many students apply or are admitted early: its Common Data Set reports the early action plan but leaves the counts blank, so any 'Princeton early action acceptance rate' you see elsewhere is not an official figure.

Admission is holistic and need-blind for every applicant, including international students, and Princeton meets full demonstrated need with grants. It says it looks for outstanding academic ability alongside a wide range of backgrounds, interests and accomplishments, and reviews each applicant in the context of their school and opportunities.

International applicants face the steepest odds: 221 of 11,679 were admitted for the Class of 2030 (1.9%). Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied at an English-medium school must submit TOEFL, IELTS Academic, Duolingo or PTE Academic; Princeton does not publish a minimum score (see below). Princeton is test optional for SAT/ACT for students entering in fall 2027 and will require the SAT or ACT again from the 2027-28 cycle (fall 2028 entry).

Princeton University TOEFL and IELTS requirements

Minimums for international applicants from the university's own pages. Since 21 January 2026 TOEFL iBT reports a 1–6 band score; the notes give the older 0–120 equivalent where the university states one. Convert TOEFL and IELTS scores.

Undergraduate (university-wide)

TOEFL iBT: Not yet published for the 2026 test

Princeton does not publish a minimum TOEFL score for undergraduate admissions. TOEFL is accepted but no threshold is stated.

Official page · checked 22 March 2026

Master's (university-wide)

TOEFL iBT: Not yet published for the 2026 test

Princeton Graduate School does not publish a universal TOEFL minimum for most programs. SPIA (MPA/MPP programs) requires a minimum of 100 iBT (old scale). CS MSE has a hard speaking minimum of 28 (old iBT). 2026-scale equivalents have not been published.

Official page · checked 21 March 2026

Master's · MPA / MPP (SPIA)

TOEFL iBT: 100 overall on the pre-2026 0–120 scale (no 1–6 minimum published yet)

Princeton SPIA (MPA and MPP programs) requires a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 100 on the old 0–120 scale. This is higher than the general Princeton graduate school policy. 2026 scale equivalent not yet published.

Official page · checked 21 March 2026

Check your score against Princeton University

Take a free 2026-format TOEFL mock test for a 1–6 band estimate, then compare it with the minimum above and with other universities' requirements.

Free TOEFL mock test

FAQ

What is Princeton's acceptance rate?

Princeton admitted 1,892 of 46,618 first-year applicants for fall 2026 (Class of 2030), an acceptance rate of 4.1%. It was 4.4% for the Class of 2029 and 4.6% for the Class of 2028.

What is Princeton's early action acceptance rate?

Princeton does not publish it. Its early round is Single-Choice Early Action (sometimes called restrictive early action or REA), and its Common Data Set leaves the number of early applicants and admits blank. Figures quoted by third-party sites are not official.

Does Princeton have Early Decision?

No. Princeton offers Single-Choice Early Action, which requires you to apply early only to Princeton but does not bind you to attend, and Regular Decision. Both have a reply date of 1 May.

What is Princeton's acceptance rate for international students?

For the Class of 2030 Princeton admitted 221 of 11,679 international applicants (1.9%). For the Class of 2029 it was 241 of 10,567 (2.3%). Admission is need-blind for international students.

What is Princeton's transfer acceptance rate?

Princeton admitted 42 of 2,274 transfer applicants for fall 2025 (1.8%) and 38 of 1,985 for fall 2024 (1.9%). Its transfer program particularly encourages community college students, lower-income students and US military veterans.

Is it hard to get into Princeton?

Yes. With a 4.1% acceptance rate for the Class of 2030, Princeton is one of the most selective universities in the world, and the rate has fallen in each of the last three cycles. Princeton says there are no minimum test scores and that every application is read in context.

What TOEFL score does Princeton require?

Princeton does not publish a minimum TOEFL score for undergraduate admission; it accepts TOEFL, IELTS Academic, Duolingo and PTE Academic from non-native speakers. Most graduate programs also set no universal minimum, but the School of Public and International Affairs (MPA/MPP) requires 100 on the old 0–120 TOEFL iBT scale.