Is Princeton generally considered more prestigious than Tulane?

Yes. In ordinary U.S. college prestige terms, Princeton is viewed as more prestigious than Tulane. Tulane is well respected and has a strong national profile, but it is not usually placed in that same top-tier prestige category.

One clear difference is breadth of name recognition. Princeton carries immediate global recognition in a way very few universities do, and people who know little about higher education still tend to identify it as an elite institution. Tulane is certainly known, especially in the South and among applicants familiar with private research universities, but its reputation is more regionally variable.

Another differentiator is how each school is perceived in highly selective academic and professional environments. Princeton has unusually strong cachet with employers, graduate programs, and academic departments across a wide range of fields. Tulane has excellent programs and a loyal alumni base, but it is more often seen as a respected, distinctive university than as a shorthand for the very top tier.

The third distinction is historical standing. Princeton has been part of the traditional American higher education elite for centuries, and that legacy still shapes how people talk about it. Tulane has a strong identity and real strengths, especially in areas tied to public service, health, and New Orleans, but in straightforward prestige comparisons, most people would place Princeton clearly ahead.