Admissions & Funding

All applications for graduate admission are submitted through Princeton’s Graduate School

Learn more about requirements for admission.

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The Computer Science Department has two applications for graduate admission:

  • Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) 
  • Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)

Applicants typically have a degree in computer science, engineering, science, or mathematics. TOEFL or IELTS scores are required in certain cases. 

The application fee is $75. Fees will be waived for anyone who participates in the SEAS applications workshop, the Computer Science Department’s pre-application mentoring program, or the certain groups determined by the Graduate School. 

The Graduate School also offers a pre-doctoral program, which funds students to study at Princeton for a year before they enroll as first-year Ph.D. students 

Funding

The computer science department has generous funding policies for both master’s and doctoral students. With rare exceptions, all graduate students pay no tuition and receive livable stipends. Stipend amounts are determined by the Graduate School, which also provides cost of living estimates. 

Master's students pay no tuition and typically receive a teaching assistantship, which comes with a stipend.

Doctoral students pay no tuition and receive a stipend for the standard five-year term of the Ph.D. program, dependent on successful completion of program milestones. 

First-year doctoral students receive a fellowship from the Graduate School. Funding and stipends past the first year are normally provided through a combination of teaching assistantships and research assistantships sponsored by a faculty advisor. All doctoral students are automatically considered for certain university fellowships. Many also receive national or international awards from organizations like the National Science Foundation, Hertz, and the Department of Defense. 

Questions? Read through the most frequently asked questions, or email gradinfo@cs.princeton.edu

Pre-application mentorship program 

The pre-application mentorship program pairs Princeton graduate students with applicants to aid them in the graduate school application process. Mentors will provide feedback and advice on application materials. The mentorship program aims to alleviate some of the barriers preventing students from applying to graduate school and promote greater diversity in our applicants. All are welcome to apply.

The program can only support a set number of prospective students. The mentorship program is now closed for 2024.