Principia College acceptance rate
Acceptance rate: 84% (fall admissions, CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). 116 of 138 applicants were admitted. Middle 50% test scores: SAT Reading & Writing 518–593, SAT Math 510–600, ACT 21–28. Admissions details
What we know
Verified data· U.S. College Scorecard · 2025- Students
- 339
Smaller than 84% of colleges
National median 1,603
About Principia College
Principia College is located in Elsah, IL. It admits 84% of applicants, lists out-of-state tuition of $35,930 before aid, and reports a 71.2% graduation rate.
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Principia College admitted 84% of 138 applicants.
- Applicants138
84% of applicants were admitted
- Admitted116
68.1% of admitted students enrolled (yield)
- Enrolled (first-year)79
Middle 50% test scores
- SAT Reading & Writing
- 518–593
- 200800
- SAT Math
- 510–600
- 200800
- ACT Composite
- 21–28
- 136
Your chances
Check your chancesYour SAT or ACT against Principia College- SAT, middle 50%
- 1028–1193
- ACT, middle 50%
- 21–28
Cost & financial aid
Published price
- Tuition & fees
- $35,930
- Average net price
- Not reported in the 2025 federal data
Students receiving Pell Grants
- Pell Grant recipients
- 0%
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- What would I repay?Monthly payments on $27,000 of loans
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Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
First-year retention
Students who return for a second year
Explore these programs
Every field of study, with the colleges that offer it and what graduates earn.
Programs A–ZAcademics
Total students
339
Academic calendar
Semester
Carnegie classification
Liberal arts college
A Liberal Arts College or College with an Arts & Sciences focus.
Colleges like Principia College
Knox CollegeGalesburg, IL
Illinois Institute of TechnologyChicago, IL
University of ChicagoChicago, IL
Location & details
Where the campus is, how far it sits from a major city, and other colleges within reach.
Principia CollegeElsah, IL, United States
Distances are straight-line miles, not driving distance. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, tiles by OpenFreeMap and OpenMapTiles.
Campus
Principia College
Elsah, IL, United States
- Private nonprofit
- Liberal arts college
Fringe rural
Outside any urbanized area or urban cluster.
- City
- Suburb
- Town
- Rural (this campus)
Nearest major citySt. Louis, MO · about 24 mi
In the city250 mi
- Calendar
- Semester
- Website
- principiacollege.edu
Colleges nearby
Lewis and Clark Community College8.4 miGodfrey- Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville21.8 miEdwardsville
Blackburn College34.8 miCarlinville- McKendree University37.1 miLebanon
Southwestern Illinois College37.7 miBelleville
Greenville University-Illinois50.8 miGreenville
Still have a question?
Ask about admissions, cost or campus life at Principia College. Answers come from CollegesRef data.
Ask CollegesRefSpecial features
What sets this college apart, grouped by theme, each with what it means and the data or editorial tag behind it.
Cost & aid
Affordable
Lower cost than many comparable colleges for a typical family.
CollegesRef editorial tag
Athletics
NCAA Division III · No athletic scholarships; athletes balance sports and academics.
- D-INCAA Division I
- D-IINCAA Division II
- D-IIINCAA Division III (this college)
- NAIANAIA
- NJCAANJCAA
Campus life
International community
A large share of students come from outside the U.S.
CollegesRef editorial tag
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Admit rate, net price and outcomes for Principia College and Knox College, side by side.
Compare with Knox CollegeFrequently asked questions
What is the Principia College acceptance rate for 2026?
Principia College admitted 84% of 138 applicants in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition, the most recent release. That is the figure colleges report to the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
How much is Principia College tuition?
Tuition at Principia College is $35,930 a year before financial aid in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
What is the graduation rate at Principia College?
71.2% of first-time, full-time students at Principia College graduate within six years (150% of normal time), according to the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
What colleges are similar to Principia College?
The closest matches are Knox College, Illinois Institute of Technology, and UChicago, based on admissions, cost, graduation rate, size, and campus profile.
Sources
Last checked Nov 3, 2026
- Admissions
- CollegesRef archive
- Cost
- U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
- Outcomes
- U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
- Enrollment
- U.S. College Scorecard · 2025
Figures come from federal reporting. Text marked “CollegesRef editorial” is our own summary, and similar-college lists come from CollegesRef matching. How we source data
