Harvard vs Princeton - Top Tier Admissions

The Department of Homeland Security’s unprecedented decision to revoke Harvard’s ability to enroll international students marks a troubling escalation in the politicization of higher education. It raises urgent questions about due process, academic freedom, and the treatment of international students on U.S. campuses.

At Top Tier Admissions, we have worked with international students for nearly two decades, and we stand firmly with students of all backgrounds and nationalities. We are closely monitoring these developments and working directly with families to ensure they are making informed, strategic decisions in a rapidly changing landscape. This moment underscores just how quickly political shifts can reshape students’ lives—and why clarity, advocacy, and expert guidance matter more than ever.

In this climate of uncertainty, students and families are taking a harder look at their options. With both Harvard and Princeton now facing scrutiny and potential federal funding freezes, it’s more important than ever to understand what each university offers—and how they differ. As two of the most prestigious Ivy League institutions, both schools offer exceptional academics, world-class faculty, and unmatched alumni networks. But differences in size, campus culture, curriculum structure, and community ethos may influence which school is the better fit for your goals.

In this updated guide, we break down everything you need to know about Harvard vs. Princeton—not just as elite colleges, but as institutions navigating a volatile moment in higher education.

HARVARD OR PRINCETON? AN OVERVIEW

Harvard University — Cambridge, Massachusetts
Founded in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States and is globally recognized for its academic excellence. With approximately 6,900 undergraduates and a total enrollment exceeding 24,500 students, Harvard offers a blend of rigorous academics, extensive research opportunities, and a vibrant campus life. Located just outside Boston, students benefit from the city’s dynamic cultural and professional landscape. Harvard is also known for its business school, although it has fallen in recent rankings. Harvard’s residential housing system fosters close-knit communities within the larger university setting. Harvard University ranks at #3 in the U.S. News & World Report.

Princeton University — Princeton, New Jersey
Established in 1746, Princeton is renowned for its commitment to undergraduate education and is ranked as the #1 National University by U.S. News & World Report. The university enrolls around 5,700 undergraduates and maintains a smaller graduate student population of around 3,200, emphasizing a close faculty-student relationship. Princeton’s picturesque suburban campus provides a tranquil environment conducive to focused study. The university’s curriculum encourages independent research, culminating in a senior thesis project for all students.

COST OF ATTENDANCE

For the 2025–2026 academic year, the total cost of attendance at Harvard is approximately $86,926. Notably, starting in the 2025–2026 academic year, Harvard will offer free tuition to students from families earning $200,000 or less. Families earning under $100,000 will also receive free housing, food, and health services.

At Princeton, the estimated cost of attendance for 2025–2026 is $90,718. Princeton’s financial aid program is also generous, often covering full tuition, room, and board for families earning up to $100,000.

STUDENT BODY STATISTICS

For the Class of 2028, 18% of enrolled undergraduate students were international, 37% were Asian American, and 16% were Hispanic/Latino. Following the Supreme Court’s overturning of affirmative action, Harvard’s Class of 2028 saw a 4% decrease in Black identifying students, 14% in the Class of 2028 compared to 18% the previous year. Harvard has a student to faculty ratio of 7:1.

The Trump administration’s recent decision to revoke Harvard’s ability to enroll international students, and its requirement that “existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status,” according to The New York Times, will undoubtedly affect enrollment figures. The move impacts over 6,800 international students, or roughly 27% of Harvard’s student body, including both undergraduates and graduates, who now face deep uncertainty about their academic futures and visa statuses. Harvard has denounced the action as unlawful and is actively pursuing legal avenues to challenge it.

Princeton’s Class of 2028 was composed of 12% international students and 49% domestic students of color. Approximately 22% were eligible for Pell Grants and 16% were first-generation college students. Students enjoy a 5:1 student to faculty ratio.

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ADMISSIONS OVERVIEW

Both institutions are highly selective, and neither have released acceptance rate data for the Class of 2029 yet.

For the Class of 2028, Harvard admitted 1,937 out of 54,008 applicants, resulting in an acceptance rate of 3.6%. Its early acceptance rate was 8.74%. Despite Harvard’s previous commitment to remaining test-optional through the Class of 2030, the college announced last spring that it would require SAT or ACT scores again starting with the Class of 2029. Harvard’s most recent Common Data Set shows that the middle 50% of ACT composite scores was 35 and for the SAT it was 1550.

Princeton admitted 1,411 students to the Class of 2028 for an acceptance rate of 4.62%. Of those who submitted test scores, the middle 50% of SAT scores was 770-800 for Math and 740-780 for Evidence-based Reading and Writing. The middle 50% of ACT scores was 34-35. Princeton remains test-optional for those applying during the 2025–26 application cycle.

Both universities offer Single-Choice Early Action programs with a November 1st deadline and Regular Decision applications due on January 2nd.

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APPLICATION ESSAYS

For Harvard, applicants are required to respond to five short-answer questions, each with a 150 word limit.

Princeton’s application includes 3 quirkier short-answer questions and 2 longer ones regarding applicants’ values and civic engagement. There is also a specific essay for Engineering applicants and one for those applying to the BA program/are undecided. Princeton also requires first-year applicants to submit a graded written paper.

Crafting thoughtful and authentic responses is crucial to standing out in these competitive applicant pools. It’s important to remember that Ivy League institutions are very different from each other. Ultimately, the best applications are those that keep the specific university’s mission statement in mind.

EXPERT INSIGHT

My time as an admissions and financial aid officer for Harvard offered me a unique glimpse into why Harvard is, as they say, very Harvard. Cambridge and Boston offer Harvard students an urban environment but one that is also close knit with a suburb feel in and around beautiful Harvard yard. Where else can a student walk along the Charles River and then be on the MIT campus in minutes or even cross register for MIT courses. Harvard undergraduates can also take classes at HBS, Harvard Law and the renowned Kennedy School; other Ivies simply cannot compete with that unparalleled opportunity. Boston and Cambridge are major hubs for groundbreaking research, healthcare and true innovation and Harvard students benefit tremendously from that in college and post-degree.

— Dr. Kristen Willmott, TTA Senior Private Counselor and Former Admissions and Financial Aid Officer at Harvard University

I have nothing but praise to heap on Princeton. On a personal note, my daughter attended Princeton and loved everything about it. The academics are unparalleled and the devotion to undergraduate education is astounding. I didn’t realize how strong their engineering department was until I met many of my daughter’s friends who majored in that area and have the utmost respect for that program as well.
The campus is quintessentially gorgeous and safe, the professors are all world famous and great teachers as well and the social structure really encourages students to get involved in all sorts of organizations and clubs so students learn networking and team building skills from day one. I was also impressed by how collegial/non-cutthroat students are. For undergraduate study, it’s hard to beat Princeton which I suspect is why it’s consistently been ranked #1 for the past few years – well deserved.

— Dr. Michele Hernandez, TTA CXO and parent of Princeton alumna

HARVARD VS PRINCETON: CHOOSE WISELY

Choosing between Harvard and Princeton depends on your personal preferences and academic goals. Harvard offers a vibrant urban environment with extensive resources and a diverse student body. Princeton provides a more intimate setting with a strong emphasis on undergraduate research and close faculty interactions. Both institutions offer exceptional education and opportunities, setting the stage for a successful future. If possible, we highly recommend students to visit these college campuses for better insight!