Princeton University

Admissions data checked October 9, 2026 by Florida Test Prep.

Princeton University reports a middle 50% SAT of 1490 to 1560 (enrolled, fall 2025). We use 1520 as a first planning target, then adjust it to the student's diagnostic and timeline. It is not an admission requirement or a guarantee.

The numbers

Source: Princeton official admissions data. A middle 50% describes the central half of the reported group, not a cutoff.

Princeton's enrolled fall 2025 class had a median SAT of 1530; the university stays test optional for the 2026-27 cycle (fall 2027 entry) before testing becomes mandatory again for fall 2028 applicants.

Where Princeton sits among New Jersey colleges

Cohorts differ by school (admitted vs enrolled, and year). See every school with its cohort and source on SAT Scores for New Jersey Colleges.

Scholarship money tied to the SAT in New Jersey

New Jersey has no statewide SAT-cutoff merit scholarship; HESAA's main aid programs are need-based (the Tuition Aid Grant) or class-rank/GPA-based (NJ STARS, for community college students in the top 5% of their class with at least a 3.0 GPA), so score-tied money in New Jersey comes from each university's own merit scholarships, and those are themselves built around class rank or GPA rather than a published SAT grid.

TCNJ Presidential / Provost / Dean's Scholarships: Top 1-10% of high school class: up to $12,000/year (Presidential); top 11-20%: up to $9,000/year (Provost); top 21-30%: up to $5,000/year (Dean's). Renewable with a 2.5 cumulative GPA at TCNJ, for up to 8 semesters.

NJIT National Merit Scholarship: Covers tuition and fees for National Merit Scholars/Finalists who designate NJIT as their college choice; renewable with a 3.0 cumulative GPA and continuous full-time enrollment.

The full rules, deadlines and class years are on our New Jersey SAT prep page.

Colleges in other states with a similar SAT range

A score that is competitive at Princeton lands in the same part of the range at these schools. Cohorts differ by school, so read each page's notes before comparing.

More for New Jersey families

• SAT prep in New Jersey
• SAT scores for New Jersey colleges
• New Jersey SAT test dates for 2026-27
• Find your teen's target score

Quick answers

What SAT score do you need for Princeton?

There is no published minimum; the middle half of the reported group scored 1490 to 1560. A score at or above 1560 puts a student in the top quarter of that group. A score near 1490 is within the range, and grades, coursework and the rest of the application still decide the outcome.

Is Princeton test-optional?

Princeton lists its policy as: Test optional through fall 2027 entry; SAT/ACT required again starting fall 2028. Check the official admissions page for your entry term before choosing test dates.

What is Princeton's acceptance rate?

4.4% (fall 2025, 42,303 applicants). Rates vary by program and residency, so read the overall figure as context, not a personal prediction.

Does a score above the range guarantee admission?

No. A middle 50% is a description of last year's group, not a cutoff in either direction. It tells you where a score is competitive, which is the useful part for planning test dates.

Want to know what your teen needs for Princeton? Their target, their gap and the weeks to close it are what we map in the free Strategy Session.