Principia College
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Main telephone | 618-374-2131 |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Public or private | Private |
| Type of school | 4-year college |
| Denomination | Other |
| Date founded | 1910 |
| Degrees offered | Bachelor's |
| School accreditation | North Central Association of Colleges and Schools |
| Setting | Small town-rural area (not within commuting distance of a large city) |
| Closest major metropolitan area | St. Louis |
| Campus size | 2600 acres |
| County | Jersey |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Number of full time, freshmen men | 36 |
| Number of full time, freshmen women | 33 |
| Total number of full time freshmen | 69 |
| Number of full time, undergraduate men | 199 |
| Number of full time, undergraduate women | 140 |
| Total number of full time undergraduates | 339 |
| Number of part time, undergraduate men | 0 |
| Number of part time, undergraduate women | 0 |
| Total number of part time undergraduates | 0 |
| Total number of undergraduate males | 199 |
| Total number of undergraduate females | 140 |
| Total number of undergraduate students | 339 |
| Total enrollment | 339 |
| Asian | Less than 1% |
| Black | 10% |
| Hispanic | 5% |
| White | 35% |
| Race/ethnicity unknown | 2% |
| These figures reflect responses of people who chose to indicate their racial-ethnic background. All categories except Hispanic represent non-Hispanic students. International students are not included in these figures so they may not add up to 100 percent. | |
| Number of states and territories represented | 37 |
| Percentage of students from outside the US | 41% |
| Number of countries represented | 30 |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Tuition year | 2025-2026 |
| In-state tuition | $34,800 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $34,800 |
| Fees | $1,130 |
| Books and supplies | $1,000 |
| Room and board (live on campus)* | $13,910 |
| Board and transportation (live with parents) | $3,795 |
| * Room and board costs may vary by housing facility and number of meals in meal plan | |
| Undergraduate costs are for ... | (Costs are for the 2025-2026 academic year.) |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Financial aid contact person | Rachael Stock |
| Financial aid contact title | Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships |
| Financial aid contact e-mail | |
| Financial aid phone | 618-374-5187 |
| Financial aid office website | Find more information on this website |
| Scholarship list website | Find more information on this website |
| Submit these forms | FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), CSS Financial Aid profile, school's financial aid form |
| Application deadline (for fall term) | April 30 |
| School year financial aid data is from | 2024-2025 |
| Average financial aid package awarded to freshmen | $30,402 |
| For freshmen, percentage of need* met by aid package | 85% |
| Average amount of financial aid awarded to freshmen | |
| Loan | $6,250 |
| Scholarship or grant | $23,105 |
| Average financial aid package awarded to undergraduates (including freshmen) | $35,755 |
| For all undergraduates, percentage of need* met by aid package | 80% |
| Average amount of financial aid awarded to undergraduates | |
| Loan | $6,250 |
| Scholarship or grant | $25,362 |
| * "Need" as defined for financial aid results from a formula based on a student's situation. The formula considers family and student income, family size, unusual expenses, and the school's costs. | |
| Number of freshmen who applied for aid | 65 |
| Number of freshmen who received aid | 62 |
| Number of undergraduates who applied for aid | 305 |
| Number of undergraduates who received aid | 277 |
| Loans | |
| Institution loans (from the school) | Yes |
| Need-based scholarships and grants | |
| Merit-based scholarships and grants | |
| School-sponsored scholarships in academics | Yes |
| School-sponsored scholarships in special achievements | Yes |
| School-sponsored scholarships for special characteristics | Yes |
| Non-proprietary financial aid data are from ... | (Financial aid data are for the 2024-2025 academic year.) |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Admissions contact person | Lee Ellis |
| Admissions contact title | Dean of Admissions |
| Admissions phone (local) | 800-277-4648 Ext 4648 |
| Electronic application website | Find more information on this website |
| For incoming students | Moderately difficult (about 85% of all applicants accepted) |
| Open admissions policy applies to | Minimum required GPA of 2.8 |
| Number of male applicants | 187 |
| Number of male applicants accepted | 78 |
| Number of female applicants | 139 |
| Number of female applicants accepted | 62 |
| Total number of applicants | 326 |
| Total number of applicants accepted | 140 |
| High school education | High school diploma required and GED accepted. |
| Fall* application deadline | June 15 |
| Notification date for fall admission applicants | Continuous |
| Early action (apply early, but not required to attend if accepted) application deadline | December 1 |
| Notification date for early action applicants | February 15 |
| Fall transfer application deadline | Continuous |
| Notification date for fall transfer applicants | Continuous |
| * Application dates for winter, spring, or summer term admission are likely to be different. | |
| Online application available | Find more information on this website |
| Submit these items: | |
| High school GPA (minimum) | 2.4 |
| High school GPA | Required for all students |
| High school transcript or GED certificate | Required for all students |
| Interview | Recommended, but not required |
| Letters of recommendation (#) | 3 |
| Letters of recommendation | Required for all students |
| Written essay or personal statement | Required for all students |
| Other application materials | Christian Science commitment |
| Other application materials | Required for all students |
| High school GPA | Important |
| Difficulty of high school courses | Considered |
| Standardized test scores | Important |
| High school class rank | Considered |
| Recommendations | Considered |
| Application essay | Very important |
| Character/personal qualities | Very important |
| Interview | Very important |
| Talent or ability | Important |
| Extracurricular activities | Important |
| Level of applicant's interest | Important |
| Religious affiliation/commitment | Important |
| Work experience | Not considered |
| Related to a school graduate | Important |
| First generation college student | Not considered |
| Accepted students can defer admission for a period of time | Yes |
| College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) general | Yes |
| College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) subject | Yes |
| Age limit on courses to be transferred | No limit |
| SAT evidence-based reading and writing | |
| 400 - 499 | 13% |
| 500 - 599 | 59% |
| 600 - 699 | 25% |
| 700 - 800 | 13% |
| Average SAT evidence-based reading and writing score | 581 |
| SAT math | |
| 400 - 499 | 8% |
| 500 - 599 | 42% |
| 600 - 699 | 38% |
| 700 - 800 | 13% |
| Average SAT math score | 565 |
| ACT score | |
| 12 - 17 | 18% |
| 18 - 23 | 53% |
| 24 - 29 | 40% |
| 30 - 36 | 7% |
| Average ACT score | 24 |
| Average GPA (on 4.0 scale) | 3.63 |
| Percentage of freshmen who returned for their sophomore year | 82% |
| Percentage of full-time students who complete their bachelor's degree: | |
| In four years or less | 55% |
| Between four and five years | 18% |
| Between five and six years | 2% |
| Letters of recommendation | 3, required for all students |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | Yes |
| Academic calendar | Semesters |
| Number of faculty on campus | 71 |
| Student faculty ratio | 6:1 |
| Required number of credits for a bachelor's degree | 120 semester hours |
| All students must meet: | |
| Computer course requirements | Yes |
| Core curriculum or school-wide requirements | Yes |
| Foreign language requirement | Yes |
| Internship requirement | Depends on major |
| Math or science requirement | Yes |
| Senior project requirement | Depends on major |
| Evenings | Yes |
| On-line/distance learning | Yes |
| Part time | Yes |
| Summer school | Yes |
| Double major | Yes |
| Student-designed major | Yes |
| 3-2 degree programs (three-year bachelor's degree and two-year master's degree) are available | Yes |
| Engineering | Master's at University of Minnesota, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville |
| Other | Education with University of Missouri, St. Louis |
| Domestic exchange available | Yes |
| Study abroad available | Yes |
| Advanced Placement | Yes |
| Independent study | Yes |
| International Baccalaureate | Yes |
| Internships | Yes |
| Computers on campus for student use | Yes (100) |
| Computer lab available to students | Yes |
| Computer network can be accessed from dorm rooms | Yes |
| Computer network can be accessed from off campus | Yes |
| Discount computer purchase plan available | Yes |
| Online registration for classes | Yes |
| Main library name | Marshall Brooks Library |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) | Yes |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Choral groups | Yes |
| Drama or theater groups | Yes |
| Newspaper | Yes |
| Radio station | Yes |
| Number of student clubs and associations with open membership | 34 |
| Largest clubs and organizations on campus | Christian Science Organization, Community Service Team, Solidarity (Multi-club group), Rugby Club, Student Government |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Percentage of students who live on campus | 94% |
| Percentage of students on campus on a typical weekend | 97% |
| School owns or operates housing | Yes |
| Highest year that students are required to live on campus | Senior |
| Housing availability for first year students | Guaranteed |
| Housing options | Co-ed, men only, women only |
| Dorms require a key or code to enter | Yes |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Health clinic | Yes |
| Orientation | Yes |
| 24-hour emergency phone and alarms on campus | Yes |
| Campus patrolled by trained security personnel | Yes |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Alumni networking and mentoring | Yes |
| Career counseling | Yes |
| Career interest testing | Yes |
| Career library | Yes |
| Job bank | Yes |
| Job fairs | Yes |
| Job interviews | Yes |
| Job interview preparation | Yes |
| On campus recruitment by employers | Yes |
| Résumé preparation assistance | Yes |
| Other career services | Annual Career Conference, credit-based career classes |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Total enrollment | 339 |