Skip to content

Kean University vs Princeton University

Kean University is a public university in Union, NJ. Princeton University is a private university in Princeton, NJ. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants and Kean University about 76%, making Princeton University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $6,128 a year at Princeton University after aid, and about $12,447 at Kean University. About 97% of students graduate at Princeton University, compared with 45% at Kean University. Ten years after enrolling, Princeton University alumni earn a median of about $110,066, against $57,237 for Kean University.

See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.

Start the free quiz

Kean University

Union, NJ · Public

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Union, NJ
Princeton, NJ
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
11,433
5,709
Acceptance rate
76%
5%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.35–3.85
3.55–4
SAT (middle 50%)
930–1150
1510–1580
ACT (middle 50%)
16–25
34–35
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$12,447
$6,128
Full cost / yr
$26,949
$84,040
In-state tuition
$14,299
$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
$22,446
$62,688
Application fee
$75
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$7,374
$41
$30k - $48k
$7,859
$352
$48k - $75k
$12,136
$1,217
$75k - $110k
$20,146
$4,478
Over $110k
$20,110
$36,094
Outcomes
Graduation rate
45%
97%
Freshman retention
76%
98%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$46,603
$87,815
Median earnings (10 yr)
$57,237
$110,066
Median debt at graduation
$23,250
$10,320
Student body
Pell grant recipients
48%
19%
First-generation students
46%
28%
International students
6%
13%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Jan 1
Nov 1
Regular decision
Rolling
Jan 1

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Kean University or Princeton University harder to get into?
Princeton University is harder to get into. It admits about 5% of applicants, compared with 76% at Kean University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Kean University or Princeton University?
Princeton University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $6,128 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $12,447 at Kean University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Kean University and Princeton University?
Before aid, Kean University costs about $26,949 a year and Princeton University about $84,040. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Kean University or Princeton University?
Princeton University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $41 there, against about $7,374 at Kean University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Kean University or Princeton University?
Kean University is the larger of the two, with about 11,433 undergraduates against 5,709 at Princeton University.
Does Kean University or Princeton University have a better graduation rate?
Princeton University has the higher graduation rate, at about 97% against 45% at Kean University.
Do graduates of Kean University or Princeton University earn more?
Princeton University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $110,066 ten years after enrolling, against about $57,237 for Kean University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Kean University and Princeton University require SAT or ACT scores?
Kean University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Princeton University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Kean University and Princeton University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 930–1150 at Kean University and 1510–1580 at Princeton University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school