Head-to-head · 2026
Essex County College vs Princeton University
Compare average net price ($4,436 at Essex County College; $6,128 at Princeton University), ROI score (20.98 vs 44.90), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($37,230 vs $110,066), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Essex County College; 4.6% at Princeton University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Essex County College | Princeton University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 20.98 | 44.90 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $4,436 ✓ | $6,128 |
| 4-year avg net price | $17,744 ✓ | $24,512 |
| In-state tuition | $5,415 | $62,688 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $9,523 | $62,688 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $37,230 | $110,066 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 4.6% |
| Graduation rate | 19.9% | 97.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 55.9% | 98.4% ✓ |
| Median debt | — | $10,320 |
| Enrollment | 5,855 | 5,709 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | 1553 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Essex County College | Princeton University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $3,792 | $41 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,562 | $352 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,135 | $1,217 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $7,345 | $4,478 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $9,647 ✓ | $36,094 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Essex County College | Princeton University |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 4.3% | 0.2% |
| Chemistry | 0.2% | 4.3% |
| Mathematics | 0.4% | 2.8% |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 1% | 1.3% |
| Music | 0.2% | 1.6% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 0.4% | 0% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Essex County College reports the lower average net price by $1,692 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $6,768 difference over four years ($17,744 vs $24,512).
Princeton University reports $72,836 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($110,066 vs $37,230). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 55.9% at Essex County College and 98.4% at Princeton University. Debt data is incomplete for at least one school, so it is not used as a deciding signal here.
6 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Essex County College vs Princeton University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Essex County College is cheaper — average net price $4,436 per year vs $6,128 at Princeton University. The annual difference of $1,692 adds up to about $6,768 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Princeton University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $110,066 vs $37,230 at Essex County College. The gap in the federal data is $72,836. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.