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Florida State University vs Princeton University

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

25.0% FSU acceptance
3.5% Princeton acceptance
$181,468 FSU cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

FSU
Tallahassee, Florida
Public
Founded
1851
Enrollment
46,944
Setting
Urban
Princeton
Princeton, New Jersey
Private
Founded
1746
Enrollment
8,478
Setting
Suburban

At a Glance

Tuition FSU saves $38,027
FSU
$21,683
Princeton
$59,710
Acceptance Rate Princeton more selective
FSU
25.0%
Princeton
3.5%
Graduation Rate Princeton higher
FSU
83%
Princeton
97%
Avg SAT Score Princeton higher
FSU
1310
Princeton
1546
Starting Salary Princeton higher
FSU
$59,800
Princeton
$90,100

Detailed Comparison

Metric FSU Princeton Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$21,683$59,710FSU
Tuition (In-State)$6,517$59,710FSU
Room & Board$12,040$19,380FSU
Acceptance Rate25.0%3.5%Princeton
Graduation Rate83%97%Princeton
Average SAT13101546Princeton
Student-Faculty Ratio21:14:1Princeton
Enrollment46,9448,478-
Avg Financial Aid$12,400$59,710Princeton
Starting Salary$59,800$90,100Princeton
Endowment$1.1B$35.8BPrinceton
Campus Size1,427 acres600 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

FSU
$134,892
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
Princeton
$316,360
4-year total (private)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: FSU = $85,292 | Princeton = $77,520. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

FSU Top Majors

BusinessPsychologyBiologyCriminologyEngineering

Princeton Top Majors

Computer ScienceEconomicsPublic PolicyEngineeringHistory

Campus & Student Life

Setting
FSUUrban
PrincetonSuburban
Campus Size
FSU1,427 ac
Princeton600 ac
Athletics
FSUNCAA D1
PrincetonNCAA D1
Region
FSUSouth
PrincetonNortheast
Founded
FSU1851
Princeton1746
Enrollment
FSU46,944
Princeton8,478

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is FSU or Princeton harder to get into?+
Princeton is more selective with an acceptance rate of 3.5% compared to 25.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, FSU or Princeton?+
At sticker price, FSU costs less over 4 years ($134,892 vs $316,360). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. FSU offers an average of $12,400/year in aid while Princeton offers $59,710/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for FSU and Princeton?+
The average SAT score at FSU is 1310 and at Princeton it is 1546. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do FSU or Princeton graduates earn more?+
Graduates of Princeton have a higher average starting salary ($90,100 vs $59,800). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
FSU has a 21:1 student-to-faculty ratio while Princeton has 4:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do FSU and Princeton compare for campus life?+
FSU is located in Tallahassee, Florida (urban setting) with a 1,427-acre campus. Princeton is in Princeton, New Jersey (suburban setting) with 600 acres. FSU competes in NCAA D1 athletics and Princeton in NCAA D1.