The Princeton Review Reviews (2026): What Parents Say, Pros & Cons
- Price
- From $299 one-time
- Grades
- 9–12
- Type
- Course, Tutoring
Updated · By Edulist · 7 sources
The Princeton Review review summary
Long-running test prep company offering SAT, ACT, PSAT and AP prep for high schoolers: self-paced programs from $299, live online courses from $949, and private tutoring from $175 an hour, with score guarantees on many programs.
The Princeton Review pros and cons
Pros
- Every format: self-paced, live online, small classes and one-on-one
- Self-paced programs include both SAT and ACT prep
- Prices for most programs are shown publicly
- Better Scores and Satisfaction guarantees on many programs
- Free practice tests and a free trial
Cons
- Expensive at the top: Master tutoring is $315 an hour
- Guarantees require completing assigned work and other conditions
- Recent Trustpilot reviews complain about refunds and customer service
- No refunds on live courses once the program starts
Who The Princeton Review is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Students who want a structured live class with a set schedule
- High scorers aiming for 1400+ or 1500+
- Families who want one company for SAT, ACT and AP prep
- Students who need a private tutor for test strategy
Look elsewhere if
- Budget-first families; Khan Academy's SAT prep is free
- Self-starters who only need practice questions
- Families who want a guarantee with no fine print
What parents say about The Princeton Review
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
On Trustpilot, The Princeton Review held a 3.5 rating from about 2,140 reviews as of October 2026, but recent reviews skew negative. Students and parents praise specific instructors and report solid score gains. The most common complaints, mostly about SAT prep, are money-back guarantees that were hard to claim, little or no score improvement for some, generic material for top scorers and slow customer service.
Common praise
- Engaging, knowledgeable instructors
- Meaningful score gains for some students
- Flexible attendance options
Common complaints
- Guarantee claims denied or delayed on conditions
- Small or no score gains after expensive tutoring
- Generic content for students aiming at 1500+
- Hard-to-reach customer service
Sources: trustpilot.com · princetonreview.com
The Princeton Review family reviews
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Is The Princeton Review worth the price?
Prices from The Princeton Review's SAT and ACT program search in October 2026 (the same at New York, Phoenix and Kansas City ZIP codes): Self-Paced from $299 (a $499 tier also listed), Ultimate 18 for $949, ACT Bootcamp for $1,499, SAT 1400+ or ACT 31+ for $2,199, Private tutoring at $175 an hour (an 18-hour SAT package is $3,150) and Master tutoring at $315 an hour (a 24-hour package is $7,560).
Can a scholarship pay for The Princeton Review?
Test prep courses and tutoring may be an allowable expense in some ESA programs, such as Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account, but each program decides which expenses and vendors qualify. Check your program's handbook before you buy.
No program on Edulist lists The Princeton Review yet. Save it to your wishlist and we’ll tell you when one does. Many state ESAs let families buy products like this directly; each program decides.
The Princeton Review alternatives
Test prep company, in business since 1938, with SAT, ACT, PSAT and AP prep for high schoolers plus ISEE, SSAT and SHSAT prep for younger students.
Online SAT and ACT prep built around a diagnostic test and a customized weekly study plan.
Low-cost online test prep. Magoosh SAT costs $49 a month or $129 a year, and Magoosh ACT costs $129 for 12 months, with video lessons, thousands of practice questions, an AI tutor and a 7-day money-back guarantee.
Sources
Questions
How much does Princeton Review SAT prep cost?
As of October 2026, SAT Self-Paced starts at $299, the Ultimate 18 live online course is $949 and the SAT 1400+ course is $2,199. Private tutoring is $175 an hour, and Master-level tutoring is $315 an hour.
Does Princeton Review have a score guarantee?
Yes. Eligible SAT, ACT, PSAT and AP programs carry a Better Scores Guarantee: score higher or get a tuition refund, if you meet the conditions. SAT 1500+ Tutoring guarantees a 1500+ or a 180-point gain. Read the terms, since you must complete assigned work.
Is Princeton Review better than Kaplan?
Both offer self-paced, live and tutoring options at similar price points. Princeton Review shows most prices publicly and bundles SAT and ACT in its self-paced program, while Kaplan is the ACT's official partner for live online prep. The right pick depends on format and schedule.
Does Princeton Review offer AP prep?
Yes. It offers AP courses and AP LiveOnline tutoring, and some AP programs are covered by the Better Scores Guarantee. It also publishes AP prep books.
Can I get a refund from Princeton Review?
For live courses, you can cancel for a full tuition refund until the program starts, but not after. After that, refunds come only through the score guarantee, if you qualify.
Can an ESA pay for Princeton Review?
It may. Some ESA programs allow test prep as an expense, but each program decides. Check your state's rules before you enroll.
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