<p>^Although Princeton does not have professional programs, alumni still go into fields like “Consulting, Finance, Government, Health Sciences, or Public Policy”. Or did you think people just graduate from Princeton and don’t go into those fields. I would argue that Princeton offers very strong networking for those going into consulting, finance, government, and public policy. It is well known that Wall Street firms recruit out of Ivy League schools. Princeton grads funnel into Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, etc. every year. MBA programs also generally want to see work experience in applicants. For instance, Harvard essentially requires pre-MBA work experience - those college seniors admitted are admitted on a “deferred standing” understanding. Graduating from an Ivy League college is immensely helpful in getting those finance jobs, especially. </p>
<p>As for government and public policy, three sitting Supreme Court justices are Princeton alumni. Numerous future statesmen graduate from Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School every year. So yes, while these alumni in government and public policy may not have graduated from any professional school at Princeton, Princeton is still their alma mater. And they love it - the rate of giving back attests to this fact. </p>
<p>Now, whether paying $100,000 to attend Princeton over Duke is worth it, that’s up to the OP. Only an individual can make that decision and that individual must bear the consequences of the decision.</p>