Which university is more affordable for middle-income families?

Harvard offers superior affordability starting in 2025-2026 with free tuition for families earning under $200,000. Princeton does not have a universal free tuition program, though both universities are committed to meeting full demonstrated financial need. Harvard's broader financial aid commitment makes it substantially cheaper for families in the $100,000-$200,000 income range.

Which university provides better undergraduate mentorship and smaller class sizes?

Princeton provides closer faculty relationships with a 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio compared to Harvard's 7:1, and its smaller 5,400-student body enables more intimate undergraduate experiences. Princeton's undergraduate-focused mission means more faculty prioritize teaching, whereas Harvard's 24,500-student body across multiple schools means undergraduates share resources with graduate and professional students.

How do acceptance rates compare, and which is more achievable?

Princeton's 4.62% acceptance rate for Class 2028 is marginally higher than Harvard's 3.2%, making Princeton marginally more achievable for qualified applicants—though both remain among the world's most selective institutions. The difference of 1.42 percentage points represents a 44% higher admission probability at Princeton, which can be meaningful for borderline applicants.

What is the impact of Harvard's international student enrollment restrictions?

Harvard faces unprecedented restrictions affecting 6,800+ international students (27% of enrollment) under current federal policy, creating uncertainty about visa status and enrollment stability. Princeton has announced no such restrictions, making it potentially more attractive to international applicants concerned about policy volatility. This is a significant structural disadvantage for Harvard that may persist through the 2026 academic year and beyond.

Which university offers more academic diversity and program options?

Harvard's 11 schools spanning undergraduate college, law, business, medicine, engineering, divinity, design, and graduate arts/sciences provide unmatched academic breadth. Princeton focuses primarily on undergraduate education with strong graduate programs in specific fields. Harvard's ecosystem is superior for students undecided about their path or seeking to combine interdisciplinary studies.

Harvard University vs Princeton University

Updated May 9, 2026

Harvard University

Major research university with 24,500+ students across 11 schools offering extensive interdisciplinary programs and global influence.

Students seeking maximum academic breadth, strong financial aid, diverse graduate programs, and institutional prestige across multiple disciplines

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Princeton University

Highly selective undergraduate-focused research university with 5,400 students, known for intimate mentorship and strong STEM programs.

Short Answer

Harvard offers broader academic diversity with 24,500+ students across multiple schools and free tuition for families earning under $200,000, while Princeton provides a more intimate undergraduate experience with 5,400 undergraduates and a 4.62% acceptance rate, though faces no enrollment restrictions.

Our Verdict

Choose Harvard if you want access to the broadest range of academic programs, graduate-level research across multiple schools, and superior financial aid for middle-income families—accepting the current uncertainty around international student enrollment. Choose Princeton if you prioritize small class sizes, a tighter-knit undergraduate community, and personalized mentorship with slightly better faculty access ratios.

Harvard University7

8Princeton University

Choose Harvard University if

Students seeking maximum academic breadth, strong financial aid, diverse graduate programs, and institutional prestige across multiple disciplines

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Key Differences at a Glance

🔹

Total Student Enrollment: Harvard University wins (24,500+ vs 5,400)

👥

Undergraduate Population: Harvard University wins (6,900 vs 5,400)

🔹

Acceptance Rate (Class 2028): Princeton University wins (4.62% vs 3.2%)

See all 7 differences

Key Facts & Figures

Metric	Harvard University	Princeton University	Diff
Total Student Enrollment(students)	24,500	5,400	+354%
Undergraduate Population(students)	6,900	5,400	+28%
Acceptance Rate (Class 2028)(%)	3.2%

Key Differences

Harvard University

Attribute

Princeton University

24,500+🏆

Total Student Enrollment

5,400

6,900🏆

Undergraduate Population

5,400

3.2%

Acceptance Rate (Class 2028)

4.62%🏆

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Last updated: May 9, 2026AI generated

Total Student Enrollment

Harvard University

24,500+🏆

Princeton University

5,400

Undergraduate Population

Harvard University

6,900🏆

Princeton University

5,400

Acceptance Rate (Class 2028)

Harvard University

3.2%

Princeton University

4.62%🏆

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

Harvard University

7:1

Princeton University

5:1🏆

Free Tuition Threshold (2025-2026)

Harvard University

Families earning under $200,000🏆

Princeton University

No universal free tuition program

International Students Enrolled

Harvard University

6,800+ (27% of student body, facing enrollment restrictions)

Princeton University

No restriction announcements🏆

Dream College Survey Ranking (2026)

Harvard University

#1 in The Princeton Review🏆

Princeton University

Not ranked #1

Full Comparison

Attribute	Harvard University	Princeton University

Total Student Enrollment(students)	24,500	5,400
Undergraduate Population(students)	6,900	5,400

Acceptance Rate (Class 2028)(%)	3.2%	4.62%

Student-to-Faculty Ratio(ratio)	7:1	5:1

Free Tuition Eligibility (2025-2026)(USD annual family income)	Under $200,000	No universal program

International Students Affected by Restrictions(students / % of body)	6,800+ / 27%	None announced

The Princeton Review Dream College Ranking 2026(ranking)	#1	Not ranked #1

Number of Schools/Colleges(count)	11	1 undergraduate college

Harvard University

Princeton University

Total Student Enrollment(students)

24,500

5,400

Undergraduate Population(students)

6,900

5,400

Acceptance Rate (Class 2028)(%)

3.2%

4.62%

Student-to-Faculty Ratio(ratio)

7:1

5:1

Free Tuition Eligibility (2025-2026)(USD annual family income)

Under $200,000

No universal program

International Students Affected by Restrictions(students / % of body)

6,800+ / 27%

None announced

The Princeton Review Dream College Ranking 2026(ranking)

Not ranked #1

Number of Schools/Colleges(count)

1 undergraduate college