Principia College
About Principia College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Principia College sits on the bluffs above the Mississippi River at Elsah, Illinois, and is the only college in the world for Christian Scientists. Education, media studies, economics and ecology are among its largest programs.
Founded
1912
Location
Elsah, Illinois
Students
339
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
Open
Admits all qualified applicants
Graduation Rate
74.3%
Near national average
Tuition
$34,680
Per year
Avg Net Price
N/A
Not reported
SAT Average
1120
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
N/A
Not reported
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Open Admission
Every applicant who meets the basic requirements is admitted, so there is no acceptance rate
How to Apply
Test Policy
No test needed
Application Fee
Free
Early
N/A
Deadline
Rolling
SAT Scores
1120/ 1600
ACT Scores
25/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Above Average
74.3% complete their degree within six years
Retention
83.1%
4-Year Grad
71%
6-Year Grad
86%
Teaching Quality
5:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
81.5%
$/Student
$32.7K
Class Size
Small
71% of students graduate on time, and 81.5% of courses are taught by full-time faculty. That personal instruction helps keep students on track.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$34,680
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$13,910
Books & Supplies
$1,000
After Financial Aid
N/A
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
N/A
Receive Grants
0%
Take Loans
0%
Annual tuition is $34,680.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Principia College fund their education.
While in School
0%
Get Grants
Free money
0%
Take Loans
Must repay
N/A
Median Family Income
After Graduation
N/A
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
N/A
Monthly Payment
N/A
Default Rate
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Principia College.
Gender
41.3%
Female
59%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
339
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
N/A
First-Gen
N/A
Avg Age
5.6%
Age 25+
Men make up the majority at 59% of the student body. 41% international students bring global perspectives to campus life.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
Rural: Fringe
Campus Quick Facts
339
Students
private
Institution
Small
Campus Size
Liberal Arts
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
No
ROTC
No
Evening College
No
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
No
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Principia College fields 9 varsity teams with 235 student athletes, about 69% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division III without football
Conference
St. Louis
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
9
Biggest: Soccer
Student Athletes
235
69% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
55% / 45%
130
Men
105
Women
7
Men's Teams
8
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Principia Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
N/A
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Education, General
—
18 grads
Communication and Media Studies
—
9 grads
Economics
—
8 grads
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
—
5 grads
Fine and Studio Arts
—
5 grads
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
—
4 grads
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Principia College
How much does Principia College cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Principia College?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.