Academic Life at Princeton University

The Academic Picture

Whats the point of going to college without academics? Below is an overview of academic life at Princeton University — the faculty and staff who teach, the majors and fields of study on offer, and the online and distance options available.

Use the sections below to explore each part of academic life in more detail, or follow a link to the full report on that topic:

• Faculty Resources
• Most Popular Majors
• Additional Questions to Ask
• Continue Your Research

Faculty Resources

With 5 students for every instructional faculty member, Princeton University ranks among the best colleges for instructional attention when compared with the national average of 15 to 1. With 85% of instructors full time, Princeton University is above the national average of 47%.

For the full breakdown — tenure status, part-time and adjunct share, and how the faculty compares with the national average — see the faculty composition page.

Most Popular Majors

Students at Princeton University can choose from 38 majors with reported graduates spanning 16 broad fields of study.

Degrees offered at Princeton University are summarised below:

The most popular majors at Princeton University, measured by graduates, are listed below.

For the complete list of majors, concentrations and graduation numbers, see the academic majors report.

Questions Worth Asking

As you weigh academic life at Princeton University, a few more questions are worth asking:

• Looking for flexibility? Princeton University may offer online or summer classes that can help you finish your degree. Explore online learning.
• Thinking about graduate school? Consider how many students continue their studies and how well the school retains and graduates its students (98% of full-time freshmen return for a second year). See graduation and retention.
• Worried about job prospects? Ask about employment outcomes for recent graduates of Princeton University.

Dig Deeper into Academics at Princeton University

Use the pages below to go deeper on any academic topic:

• Academic Majors at Princeton University — every major and degree program offered
• Faculty Composition at Princeton University — how the teaching staff is structured
• Graduation & Retention at Princeton University — how well the school retains and graduates students
• Distance Learning at Princeton University — online and distance enrollment options
• Accreditation Detail at Princeton University — accreditation status and accrediting bodies