Princeton University facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Princeton University

Latin: Universitas Princetoniensis
Former names	College of New Jersey (1746–1896)
Motto	Dei Sub Numine Viget (Latin) On seal: Vet[us] Nov[um] Testamentum (Latin)
Motto in English	"Under God's Power She Flourishes" On seal: "Old Testament and New Testament"
Type	Private research university
Established	October 22, 1746; 278 years ago (1746-10-22)
Accreditation	MSCHE
Academic affiliations	AAU COFHE NAICU URA Space-grant
Endowment	$35.8 billion (2022)
President	Christopher L. Eisgruber
Provost	Jennifer Rexford
Academic staff	1,068 (Fall 2021)
Total staff	7,300
Students	8,478 (Fall 2021)
Undergraduates	5,321 (Fall 2021)
Postgraduates	3,157 (Fall 2021)
Doctoral students	2,631 (Fall 2019)
Location	Princeton , New Jersey , United States 40°20′43″N 74°39′22″W / 40.34528°N 74.65611°W / 40.34528; -74.65611
Campus	Small city, 600 acres (2.4 km2)
Newspaper	The Daily Princetonian
Colors	Black and Orange
Nickname	Tigers
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division I FCS – Ivy League ECAC Hockey EARC EIVA CWPA IRA EAWRC
Mascot	The Tiger

Princeton University is a famous private school in Princeton, New Jersey. It is part of the Ivy League, a group of old and respected universities. Princeton was started in 1746 in Elizabeth. It was first called the College of New Jersey.

Princeton is the fourth-oldest college in the United States. It is one of nine "colonial colleges" that existed before the American Revolution. The school moved to Newark in 1747. Nine years later, it moved to its current home in Princeton. In 1896, it officially became Princeton University.

The university is managed by its board of trustees. It has a huge fund of money, called an endowment, which helps pay for the school. Princeton has about 8,500 students. They study subjects like arts, social sciences, science, and engineering. The main campus is about 600 acres (2.4 km²) big.

Princeton has a special system where students live in "residential colleges." It is also known for its "eating clubs" for older students. The university has over 500 student groups. Students enjoy many traditions, both old and new. Princeton is a NCAA Division I school and competes in the Ivy League. Its sports teams are called the Princeton Tigers. They have won many championships and sent athletes to the Olympics.

Many famous people have been part of Princeton. This includes 75 Nobel Prize winners. It also includes U.S. presidents, Supreme Court Justices, and leaders in business and media.

History of Princeton University

Princeton University started as the College of New Jersey. Its early ideas came from the "Log College." This was a school for ministers founded around 1726. Many people from the Log College later helped support Princeton.

How Princeton University Began

The university was founded because of a split in the Presbyterian church. Some church members, called "New Lights," wanted a new college. They felt that Harvard and Yale were not open enough to new ideas. They also wanted a school with more subjects than the Log College.

Seven Presbyterian leaders decided to start a new college. They chose New Jersey because there were no other colleges between Connecticut and Virginia. The acting governor, John Hamilton, gave them a charter on October 22, 1746. This made it the fourth-oldest college in the U.S.

In 1747, the college opened in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Classes were held in the home of its first president, Jonathan Dickinson. The founders wanted the college to teach many different subjects. It was open to all religions, but it became a center for Presbyterian education.

Early Years and the American Revolution

After President Dickinson died, the college moved to Newark, New Jersey in 1747. The new governor, Jonathan Belcher, gave the college a second charter in 1748. Belcher became a big supporter of the school. He helped raise money and donated his large library.

In 1756, the college moved to its current home in Princeton, New Jersey. Princeton was chosen for its central location. The main building was Nassau Hall. It was named after William III of England.

After several presidents died young, John Witherspoon became president in 1768. He was president until 1794. Witherspoon improved the school's standards and added more subjects. He wanted to train both religious and government leaders.

Witherspoon signed the Declaration of Independence. His leadership made the college important during the American Revolution. In 1777, the Battle of Princeton took place on campus. British soldiers briefly took over Nassau Hall. But they later surrendered to American forces led by General George Washington.

In 1783, the Continental Congress met in Nassau Hall for four months. This made Princeton the country's capital for a short time. The college suffered during the war. Its funds decreased, and Nassau Hall needed many repairs.

Princeton in the 1800s

In 1802, Nassau Hall was badly damaged by a fire. The college raised money to rebuild it and add new buildings. In 1807, a large student riot happened. This was due to students not trusting new school rules.

Later, James Carnahan became president in 1823. The college was struggling, and student numbers were low. To save the university, Princeton's alumni association was created. James Madison led this group, and they began raising money.

John Maclean Jr. became president in 1854. He led the university through the American Civil War. When Nassau Hall burned down again in 1855, Maclean raised funds to rebuild it. Student numbers dropped during the war. Many students from the South left. The campus then strongly supported the Union.

James McCosh became president in 1868. He greatly improved the college. He changed the courses, added more science studies, and hired great teachers. Many new buildings were built. During his time, student activities like the Princeton Glee Club and the first intercollegiate football team started. Fraternities and sororities were removed. In 1879, Princeton gave its first doctorate degrees.

Francis Landey Patton became president in 1888. During his time, Princeton grew a lot. The number of students and teachers doubled. Social life changed with the rise of eating clubs and sports. In 1893, the honor system was created for exams. In 1896, the college officially became Princeton University. The Graduate School was started in 1900.

Princeton in the 1900s

Woodrow Wilson, a former student and popular teacher, became the 13th president in 1902. He made big changes to the courses. Younger students followed a common plan. Older students focused on one subject. He also started the "preceptorial system" in 1905. This meant small groups of students met with a teacher for discussions. These changes brought many new teachers.

In 1906, Lake Carnegie was created by Andrew Carnegie. The university officially became non-religious. Wilson also made the science program stronger. He tried to get rid of eating clubs but did not succeed. Wilson did not allow Black students to enroll at Princeton during his time.

John Grier Hibben became president in 1912. He was president for 20 years. When the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, Hibben offered university resources to the government. Military training schools opened on campus. Laboratories were used for research. Over 6,000 students served in the military.

After the war, more students wanted to join Princeton. In 1922, the university started choosing students more carefully. Hibben also introduced the senior thesis in 1923. He created new schools like the School of Architecture (1919) and the School of Engineering (1921). By the end of his time, the university's funds and campus size had greatly increased.

Hibben's successor, Harold Willis Dodds, led Princeton through the Great Depression and World War II. During the Depression, many students had to leave due to money problems. Princeton's reputation in science grew. Many European scientists came to the U.S. because of problems in Nazi Germany. In 1930, the Institute for Advanced Study was founded. Scientists like Albert Einstein worked there. Many Princeton scientists helped with the Manhattan Project during the war.

Princeton from 1945 to Today

After World War II, Princeton focused more on research. New buildings like Firestone Library (1948) were built. The university also became desegregated, meaning students of all races could attend.

Robert Goheen became president in 1957. His time as president was more open. More Black students applied. In 1969, Princeton started admitting women. This was a big change for the university. During this time, the Carl A. Fields Center was opened for diversity. The campus also grew a lot.

In the 1960s and 1970s, students protested a lot. Most protests were about the Vietnam War. Students also protested about investments in South Africa, the environment, and women's rights. In 1970, students, teachers, and staff went on strike. They wanted the university to oppose the war.

In 1982, the residential college system was officially started. This was under President William G. Bowen. He also helped increase Princeton's funds. President Harold T. Shapiro followed Bowen. He continued to increase funds and diversity. He also oversaw many building renovations.

In 2001, Princeton changed its financial aid policy. It replaced all student student loans with grants. This meant students would not have to borrow money for their education. That same year, Shirley M. Tilghman became Princeton's first female president. She expanded financial aid and built new facilities. She also focused on global programs and science.

The current president, Christopher Eisgruber, was elected in 2013. In 2017, Princeton started a project to study its history with slavery. This project shared many old documents and essays. In 2018, two campus spaces were named after enslaved people who lived and worked at Princeton.

When Did Princeton Start Admitting Women?

Princeton did not allow women to be students from its founding in 1746 until 1969. People sometimes called it a "monastery" because it was only for men.

For a short time, from 1887 to 1897, there was a nearby school called Evelyn College for Women. Many Princeton teachers taught there. But it closed in 1897.

In 1961, Princeton admitted its first female graduate student, Sabra Follett Meservey. She was the first woman to earn a master's degree there. At first, the university said this was a special case. But more women joined the Graduate School later. In 1964, T'sai-ying Cheng was the first woman to get a Ph.D. from Princeton.

In 1969, Princeton's leaders voted to admit women. They started preparing the campus for this change. In September 1969, 101 female first-year students and 70 female transfer students enrolled. They lived in Pyne Hall.

In 1971, Mary St. John Douglas and Susan Savage Speers became the first female trustees. In 1974, the limits on how many men and women could be admitted were removed. In 1991, the eating clubs also had to become co-educational. In 2001, Princeton elected its first female president.

Princeton University Campus and Buildings

Princeton's main campus has over 200 buildings. It covers 600 acres (2.4 km²) in Princeton, New Jersey. There is also a smaller research campus nearby. The campuses are about an hour away from New York City and Philadelphia by train.

The first building was Nassau Hall, finished in 1756. It faces Nassau Street. The campus grew around Nassau Hall over time. Many buildings were built in a style called Collegiate Gothic. This style makes the campus look like old European universities. Famous architects have designed newer buildings too.

The campus also has a collection of 20th-century sculptures. These are called the Putnam Collection. You can see works by famous artists like Alexander Calder and Pablo Picasso.

At the southern end of campus is Lake Carnegie. This artificial lake was created in 1906. Andrew Carnegie paid for it. He hoped it would encourage students to try rowing. The Shea Rowing Center on the lake is still used for rowing today.

The university's grounds were designed by Beatrix Farrand. She worked on the landscape from 1912 to 1943. Today, there are 17 gardens spread across the campus.

Important Buildings on Campus

Nassau Hall: A Historic Landmark

Nassau Hall is the oldest building at Princeton. It was finished in 1756. It was once the first meeting place for the New Jersey government. It was also part of the Battle of Princeton in 1777. For four months in 1783, it was even the capital of the United States!

Since 1911, two bronze tigers have stood at the front entrance. They were a gift from the Class of 1879. Today, Nassau Hall holds the university president's office.

Behind Nassau Hall is Cannon Green. A large cannon, called the "Big Cannon," is buried there. British soldiers left it behind after the Battle of Princeton. Students moved it to its current spot in 1840. Another smaller cannon is buried near Whig Hall. This "Little Cannon" was once stolen by students from Rutgers University. This led to a playful rivalry between the schools.

Princeton University Art Museum

The Princeton University Art Museum was officially started in 1882. It was created to help students learn about art. The museum wanted to show original artworks. This would help students understand art history.

The museum has over 112,000 objects. These range from ancient to modern art. They come from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The collections include art from ancient Greece and Rome. There is also medieval European art. The museum has paintings from the Renaissance through the 19th century. It also has modern art, including works by Andy Warhol.

The museum has a large collection of Chinese and Japanese art. It also features art from Korea, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia. There are collections of pre-Columbian art and art from indigenous peoples. The museum also has many old prints, drawings, and photographs. About 750 works of African art are also displayed.

Princeton University Chapel

The Princeton University Chapel is on the north side of campus. It was built between 1924 and 1928. It cost about $2.3 million. The chapel was designed to be a beautiful example of the Collegiate Gothic style. When it was built, it was the second largest university chapel in the world.

The chapel is 277 feet (84 m) long and 121 feet (37 m) high. It is made of sandstone and limestone. Its design looks like an old English church. The chapel has many stained glass windows and carvings. These show how religion and learning are connected. The chapel can seat about 2,000 people. It is used for religious services and school events.

Sustainability Efforts

Princeton is working to be more sustainable. In 2008, it created its first plan for sustainability. This plan focused on reducing greenhouse gases. It also aimed to save resources. Princeton wants to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions to 1990 levels by 2026.

In 2019, Princeton released a new plan. Its main goal is to have zero net greenhouse gases by 2046. The university has also agreed to stop investing in some fossil fuel companies. Princeton is part of a group of Ivy League schools that share ideas about sustainability.

The university also wants to create zero waste. It does this through recycling programs. It also buys sustainable products.

How Princeton University is Organized

Leadership and Departments

Christopher Eisgruber is Princeton's 20th and current president. He was chosen by the university's board of trustees in 2013. The board guides the university. It approves budgets and manages the school's money. It also decides on big changes in teaching and admissions.

Princeton has several main parts. These include the Undergraduate College and the Graduate School. There are also schools for Architecture, Engineering, and Public and International Affairs. Princeton does not have a traditional business school. Instead, it has the Bendheim Center for Finance. This center teaches about money and finance.

Princeton works with other schools and research centers. These include the Institute for Advanced Study and Rutgers University. Princeton is also part of important academic groups.

Princeton University's Finances

Princeton University has a very large endowment. In 2021, it was $37 billion. This is one of the biggest endowments in the United States. It means Princeton has a lot of money per student. This money comes from donations and investments.

The university's yearly budget is over $2 billion. About half of this goes to teaching programs. A third goes to student services. Ten percent goes to financial aid. The rest goes to the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.

Academics at Princeton University

Undergraduate Studies

Princeton offers a liberal arts education. Students can earn two types of bachelor's degrees. These are a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) or a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.). A.B. students choose their main subject, called a concentration, in their second year. B.S.E. students choose theirs in their first year.

To graduate, students must complete certain courses. They also do independent work. A.B. students must take courses in many different areas. These include literature, science, social studies, and foreign languages. They also write two junior papers and a senior thesis. B.S.E. students take more math and science courses. They also do a design project or senior thesis.

Students can choose from 36 main subjects. They can also join 55 interdisciplinary certificate programs. These are like academic minors. Classes vary in size. Some are small seminars. Others are large lectures with smaller discussion groups called "precepts." The student to teacher ratio is 5 to 1. Most classes have fewer than 20 students. Students say the academic culture is very cooperative.

Princeton's Honor Code

Undergraduates follow an academic honesty policy called the Honor Code. Teachers do not watch exams. Instead, students watch each other. If a student suspects cheating, they report it to an Honor Committee. This committee is made up of students. If a student is found guilty, they might be suspended or expelled. Students must also sign a pledge on their written work. This says they have not copied from others.

Graduate Studies

In the 2019–2020 school year, about 2,971 students were in the Graduate School. About 40% were female. 42% were from other countries. The average time to get a doctoral degree was 5.7 years.

The Graduate School offers degrees in 42 subjects. These include arts, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. Doctoral degrees are available in all departments. Master's degrees are offered in architecture, engineering, finance, and public policy. Doctoral studies focus on original research. Master's degrees focus on preparing for careers.

Graduate students can also join interdisciplinary programs. They can also study at other universities through exchange programs.

Princeton University Rankings

U.S. university rankings
ARWU World	6
THES World	6
USNWR National University	1
Washington Monthly National University	5
Forbes	1

Princeton is often ranked as one of the best universities. In 2021, U.S. News ranked Princeton first for the tenth year in a row. It was also ranked 7th in the world by Times Higher Education in 2022. QS World University Rankings placed it 20th globally in 2022.

Many of Princeton's graduate programs are also highly ranked. In 2021, 13 out of 14 programs were in the top 10. Economics and Mathematics were ranked number one.

Research at Princeton University

Princeton is known for its high level of research. It is classified as a "Doctoral University – Very high research activity." In 2020, the university received about $250 million for research. Most of this money came from the government.

Princeton has 75 research institutes and centers. It also has two national laboratories. Many Princeton faculty members are part of the National Academy.

Princeton University Library System

The Princeton University Library system has over 13 million items. This makes it one of the largest university libraries in the country. Firestone Library is the main campus library. It holds collections for the humanities and social sciences. Its collections include the original manuscript of The Great Gatsby.

There are also special libraries for different subjects. These include architecture, art, East Asian studies, and engineering. The library system also offers many online resources for students.

National Laboratories at Princeton

The Department of Energy's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) started in 1951. It was a secret project to study controlled nuclear fusion. Today, it researches fusion energy and plasma physics.

The NOAA's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) is also at Princeton. It was founded in 1955. This lab studies climate and creates climate models. Princeton teachers and students can do research with this lab.

Admissions and Financial Aid at Princeton

How to Apply to Princeton

Admissions statistics
2022 entering classChange vs. 2017
Admit rate	5.6% ( −1.6)
Yield rate	69.1% ( −0.7)
Test scores middle 50%
SAT EBRW	760
SAT Math	790 ( +40 median)
ACT Composite	35 ( +2 median)
High school GPA
Average	3.95 ( +0.04)

Princeton offers a few ways to apply. You can use the Common Application, the Coalition Application, or the QuestBridge Application. The application requires extra writing pieces. You also need to submit a graded written paper.

Getting into Princeton is very competitive. For the Class of 2024, only 5.8% of applicants were accepted. Most accepted students had very high test scores. The average high school GPA was 3.91. For graduate school, about 1,322 out of 12,553 applicants were accepted in 2021–2022.

Princeton used to have an "early decision" program. Now, it has a "single-choice early action" option. This means you can apply early to Princeton, but you can't apply early to other private schools.

In 2018, Princeton started accepting transfer students again. This program helps students from low-income families, the military, and community colleges.

Paying for Princeton: Financial Aid

For the 2021–2022 school year, the total cost to attend Princeton was $77,690. But many students receive financial aid. About 61% of all undergraduate students get financial help. The average financial aid grant was $57,251.

Families earning up to $65,000 a year can attend for free. This includes tuition, room, and board. Financial aid is also offered to families earning up to $180,000.

In 2001, Princeton made a big change. It became the first university to remove student student loans from financial aid. Instead, it gives grants. This means students don't have to borrow money. Also, Princeton has need-blind admission. This means your ability to pay does not affect your admission. The university meets 100% of a student's financial need. Princeton does not give scholarships based on academic or athletic merit.

In 2022, Princeton announced it would cover all costs for families earning $100,000 or less. Families with higher incomes also get reduced costs.

Student Life and Culture at Princeton

Where Students Live: Residential Colleges

Princeton guarantees housing for all four years. Over 98% of undergraduate students live on campus. First and second-year students must live in one of the seven residential colleges. Each college has an older student adviser and a faculty academic adviser.

Older students can choose to stay in their college or move to other dorms. Even if they move, they stay connected to their college. Each residential college has its own design. They also have a faculty head, dean, and other staff. The colleges offer dining halls, common rooms, and study spaces.

The current residential colleges are:

The residential college system started with an idea from President Woodrow Wilson. It became official in 1982. Two new colleges, Yeh College and New College West, opened in 2022.

Princeton also has one graduate residential college. It is called the Graduate College. It is about half a mile from the main campus. The Graduate College has a large Gothic section with Cleveland Tower. This tower has 67 bells.

• 

  Forbes College (founded 1984)

• 

  Mathey College (founded 1983)

• 

  Rockefeller College (founded 1982)

• 

  Whitman College (founded 2007)

Eating Clubs and Dining Options

Each residential college has its own dining hall. These halls offer different food and environments. Older students have several choices for meals. They can join an eating club. They can also join a dining co-op, where students cook together. Or they can arrange their own meals. The university also offers kosher and halal dining options.

Social life at Princeton often happens in residential colleges or eating clubs. Residential colleges host many events. Eating clubs are not part of the university. But they are social centers for older students. They host events and invite speakers. They also provide a sense of community.

Five clubs have open membership. Six clubs have a selective process called "bicker." This involves interviews. Eating clubs have fees, but Princeton increases financial aid for older students to help. There are ten clubs on Prospect Avenue and one on Washington Road. About 68% of older students join a club. Each club has about 150 to 200 students.

Student Organizations and Activities

Princeton has about 500 student organizations. The Undergraduate Student Government (USG) is the student government. It funds student events and represents students.

The American Whig–Cliosophic Society is the oldest student group. It started around 1765. It focuses on politics, literature, and debate. It has groups for debate, international relations, and mock trial.

Students publish several newspapers and magazines. The Daily Princetonian is the second oldest college newspaper in the U.S. Other publications include The Nassau Literary Review and The Princeton Tory. Princeton's WPRB (103.3 FM) is the oldest licensed college radio station.

Princeton has many performing arts and music groups. The Princeton Triangle Club is America's oldest touring musical-comedy group. It performs its annual show at the McCarter Theatre. The Princeton Glee Club is the oldest choir, started in 1874. The Tiger Band plays at sports events. The Princeton University Orchestra performs at Alexander Hall.

A cappella groups are very popular. They hold concerts and "arch sings" in the campus's Gothic arches. The oldest a cappella group is the Princeton Nassoons, formed in 1941.

Princeton also has several campus centers. These provide resources for students with different identities. They include the Center for Jewish Life and the LGBT Center. The Frist Campus Center is a place for all students to gather.

Princeton has 15 chaplaincies and many religious student groups. They represent faiths like Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

Princeton Traditions

Princeton students have many traditions. One is the ceremonial bonfire. It happens on Cannon Green. This bonfire is lit only if Princeton beats both Harvard and Yale in football in the same season.

Another tradition is the "Locomotive" cheer. It has been used since before 1894. Students also have a tradition about the FitzRandolph Gates. They believe that if you walk out of these gates before graduation, you won't graduate.

A more debated tradition is Newman Day on April 24. Some students try to drink 24 beers in 24 hours. This tradition is linked to a quote supposedly from Paul Newman. However, Newman himself has spoken against it.

One of the biggest annual traditions is Princeton Reunions. This is a huge gathering of former students. There is a parade called the "P-rade" where alumni and their families walk through campus.

Some old traditions have stopped. One was "clapper theft." Students would climb Nassau Hall to steal the bell clapper. This bell rang to start classes. For safety, the clapper was removed permanently.

Princeton's School Song

"Old Nassau" has been Princeton University's school song since 1859. A student named Harlan Page Peck wrote it. A professor named Karl Langlotz wrote the music. In 1987, the university changed the song's lyrics. This was to include both male and female students.

Getting Around Princeton

Tiger Transit is the university's bus system. It connects campus areas and is open to the public. NJ Transit provides bus service and a small train called the "Dinky." The Dinky connects the campus to the Princeton Junction Station. Other bus services go to New York City and other parts of New Jersey.

Student Body at Princeton

Student body composition as of May 2, 2022

Race and ethnicity	Total
White	36%	36
Asian	25%	25
Foreign national	12%	12
Hispanic	11%	11
Black	9%	9
Other	7%	7
Economic diversity
Low-income	23%	23
Affluent	77%	77

Princeton has become more diverse in recent years. The freshman class of 2021 was very diverse. About 68% of students identified as students of color. The university has worked to enroll more students from low-income families.

The average family income for Princeton students is $186,100. About 72% of students come from the wealthiest 20% of families. In 2017, 22% of freshmen received federal Pell Grants. These grants help students from low-income backgrounds.

In 1999, 10% of students were Jewish. This was lower than other Ivy League schools. This number had decreased by 40% since 1985. Some people thought this was due to Princeton's history. As of 2021, about 700 Jewish students attend the university.

African American student enrollment increased a lot after 1967. It went from 1.7% to 10%. However, it has stayed around that level since. The first Black student to graduate with a bachelor's degree was John L. Howard in 1947. He was part of a special naval training program.

Princeton University Athletics

Princeton has organized sports at three levels. These are varsity, club, and intramural. Most students participate in sports. Princeton's colors are orange and black. The school's athletes are called the Tigers. The mascot is a tiger.

Varsity Sports Teams

Princeton has 37 men's and women's varsity sports. It is an NCAA Division I school. Its sports conference is the Ivy League. Princeton's rowing teams compete in the Eastern Association of Rowing Colleges. Its men's volleyball team competes in the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association.

Princeton's football team plays in the Ivy League. Princeton played in the first intercollegiate football game in the U.S. in 1869. Rutgers won that game.

Princeton claims 28 national football championships. The NCAA recognizes 15 of these wins. Princeton has won 12 Ivy League championships. Its last win was in 2018. In 1951, Dick Kazmaier won Princeton its only Heisman Trophy.

The men's basketball program was very successful under coach Pete Carril. He coached from 1967 to 1996. Princeton won 13 Ivy League titles during this time. Carril created the Princeton offense. This is a special way of playing basketball.

Princeton's women's soccer team reached the NCAA semi-finals in 2004. This was a first for an Ivy League team. The men's soccer team was coached by Bob Bradley. He later coached the United States men's national soccer team. Princeton's men's lacrosse program won six national championships from 1992 to 2001. In 2012, its field hockey team won the first national championship for the Ivy League.

Princeton has won at least one Ivy League title every year since 1957. It was the first Ivy League school to win over 500 championships. From 1896 to 2018, 113 Princeton athletes competed in the Olympics. They won many gold, silver, and bronze medals.

Club and Intramural Sports

Princeton also has 37 club sports teams. These are open to all students. Teams compete against other colleges. There is also an intramural sports program. This program organizes games between residential colleges, eating clubs, and other groups.

In the fall, first and second-year students take part in the Cane Spree. This is an intramural athletic competition. It includes cane wrestling and other sports. It remembers a time in the 1870s when older students took canes from younger students.

Notable People from Princeton University

Famous Alumni

Two U.S. Presidents, James Madison and Woodrow Wilson, graduated from Princeton. Former First Lady Michelle Obama also graduated from Princeton. Several U.S. Supreme Court Justices are alumni. These include current Justices Samuel Alito, Elena Kagan, and Sonia Sotomayor. Jerome Powell, who leads the U.S. Federal Reserve, is also an alumnus.

Princeton graduates were important in the American Revolution. This includes Philip Johnston and Nathaniel Scudder.

Famous graduates from Princeton's School of Engineering include Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Also, Eric Schmidt, former Chairman of Alphabet Inc., and astronaut Pete Conrad.

Actors like Jimmy Stewart, David Duchovny, and Brooke Shields went to Princeton. Soccer player Diana Matheson won an Olympic bronze medal.

Writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Eugene O'Neill attended but did not graduate. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Barton Gellman and Lorraine Adams are alumni. Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa also graduated from Princeton.

Many famous graduate alumni include scientists and mathematicians. These include Richard Feynman, John Nash, Alan Turing, and Terence Tao. Royals like Queen Noor of Jordan also attended Princeton.

Notable Faculty Members

As of 2021, important current teachers include Angus Deaton and Daniel Kahneman. Other notable former teachers include John von Neumann, Ben Bernanke, Paul Krugman, and Toni Morrison.

Albert Einstein was not a Princeton faculty member. But he was associated with the university. He gave many lectures and visited the campus often.