Phillips Exeter Academy has a tradition of academic excellence, a distinguished faculty, and a long history of educating young people to find their place in the world. The heart of Exeter is its signature Harkness method of instruction.
The Harkness philosophy, developed at Exeter over 80 years ago, is centered on a way of thinking and engaging with others that requires preparation and provides a sense of readiness for learning, for college, for life. Exeter is a school for teenagers who want to be surrounded by peers who share their intellectual curiosity and raw excitement about learning.
The school is alive with learning: spirited conversations spill out of classrooms and make their way to the playing fields, theater stages, laboratories, the dining halls and the dorms.
Students are given the freedom to explore and know their intellect, to challenge themselves in new ways, and enjoy the richness of human interaction.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12, PG
- Enrollment: 1,106 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $67,315
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $52,577
- Acceptance rate: 17%
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: Jan. 15
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Phillips Exeter Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 280 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Faculty Education
Selectivity
Offering Breadth
Student Test Scores
School History
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1781
1907
Campus Size
700 acres
125 acres
Colors
Grey, Maroon
School Calendar
Student Body
Enrollment
1106 students
319 students
% Students of Color
57%
27%
% International Students
10%
21%
% Students Boarding
81%
67%
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
Yes
No
Frequency of Saturday Classes
Bi-Weekly
Less than once a month
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
93%
72%
Tuition Cost
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$67,315
$66,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$52,577
$35,500
% Students on Financial Aid
45%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$56,135
(Day student average grant: 37770)
(Day student average grant: 37770)
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No
No
Admissions
Application Deadline
Jan. 15
Jan. 15
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Average Percentile SSAT
94%
-
Acceptance Rate
17%
64%
Director of Admissions
Matti Donkor
Application URL
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
28
16
Sports
Ballet, Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Cycling, Dance, Diving, Fencing, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball, Water Polo, Winter Track, Wrestling
College Matriculation
Year: 2011 - 2013
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
Columbia University
34
New York University
34
Harvard College
33
Yale University
33
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
27
Tufts University
26
Princeton University
25
Dartmouth College
24
Brown University
23
University of Pennsylvania
22
School Notes
- School Motto: Non Sibi
- School Mascot: Lion Rampant
- Phillips Exeter Academy is a co-educational residential school with students from the U.S. and over 30 foreign countries. Exeter has a centuries-old tradition of academic excellence and a commitment to empowering Exonians to find their place in the world.
- We are a community that celebrates curiosity and cultivates potential. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 5:1, more than 450 courses in 18 subject areas, and the opportunity to study on five continents, Exeter provides unparalleled opportunities for discovery and exploration, of both self and subject matter.
- We provide need-based financial aid that makes it possible for talented students to attend Exeter regardless of their family`s finances. Exeter works with families from all economic backgrounds to make tuition affordable. And, an Exeter education is free to any accepted student whose family income is $75,000 or less. We encourage all interested students to apply, regardless of their ability to pay.
- Phillips Exeter Academy accreditations: NAIS, TABS
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Mark Zuckerberg - Founder and CEO, Facebook
- Dan Brown - Bestselling Author, The Da Vinci Code
- Pauline Chiou - Award-winning Anchor and Correspondent, CNN Hong Kong
- Win Butler - Lead Vocalist and Songwriter of Grammy Award-winning band Arcade Fire
- John Knowles - Author, A Separate Peace
- John Irving - Bestselling Author and Academy Award-winning Screenwriter, The World According to Garp, The Cider House Rules
- Suzy Welch - Bestselling Author, Television Commentator and Noted Business Journalist
- Pierre S. Du Pont - President, Du Pont; Chair and President, General Motors Corporation
- Robert Todd Lincoln - Son of President Abraham Lincoln, US Secretary of War
- Daniel Webster - US Senator from Massachusetts
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Phillips Exeter Academy cost?
Phillips Exeter Academy's tuition is approximately $67,315 for boarding students and $52,577 for day students.
What schools are Phillips Exeter Academy often compared to?
Phillips Exeter Academyis often viewed alongside schools like Phillips Academy Andover, Deerfield Academy, Choate Rosemary Hall by visitors of our site.
What is the acceptance rate of Phillips Exeter Academy?
The acceptance rate of Phillips Exeter Academy is 17%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 64%. Phillips Exeter Academy's acceptance rate is ranked as one of the top boarding schools with low acceptance rates.
Who are famous alumni from Phillips Exeter Academy?
Phillips Exeter Academy famous alumni include: Mark Zuckerberg, Dan Brown, Pauline Chiou, Win Butler, John Knowles, John Irving, Suzy Welch, Pierre S. Du Pont, Robert Todd Lincoln and Daniel Webster.
What sports does Phillips Exeter Academy offer?
Phillips Exeter Academy offers 28 interscholastic sports: Ballet, Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Cycling, Dance, Diving, Fencing, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball, Water Polo, Winter Track and Wrestling. Phillips Exeter Academy is ranked as one of the top boarding schools for most sports offered.
What is Phillips Exeter Academy's ranking?
Phillips Exeter Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Large student body (number of students), High percent faculty with advanced degrees, Low acceptance rates, Most sports offered, High SSAT scores and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Phillips Exeter Academy?
The application deadline for Phillips Exeter Academy is Jan. 15.
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
Phillips Exeter is distinct for its use of the Harkness Method and its unique athletic opportunities afforded by a robust alumni network and excellent teachers from various high-level academic positions within their fields. Harkness, a. . .
The use of the Harkness table. The discussion based, or flipped, classroom is what truly separates Exeter from all other private schools. . .
The Harkness table is used in all classrooms, facilitating discussion and exploration of subjects that allow students to take the reins on their own education. With classes averaging 12 students or fewer, every student is. . .
Show more reviews (27 reviews)
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People that viewed Phillips Exeter Academy also viewed these schools: Phillips Academy Andover, Deerfield Academy, Choate Rosemary Hall, St. Paul's School and Milton Academy.
The nearest boarding school to Phillips Exeter Academy is The Governor's Academy (formerly Governor Dummer Academy) (16.2 miles away)
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Location
Miles
Grades
Students
1,154 students 24.9 miles 180 Main Street
Andover, MA 01810
(978) 749-4050
Andover, MA 01810
(978) 749-4050
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1,154
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Deerfield, MA 01342
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89.2
9-12, PG
653
867 students 141.8 miles 333 Christian Street
Wallingford, CT 06492
(203) 697-2239
Wallingford, CT 06492
(203) 697-2239
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9-12, PG
867
540 students 34.7 miles 325 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 229-4700
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 229-4700
34.7
9-12
540
714 students 50.5 miles 170 Centre Street
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(617) 898-2227
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(617) 898-2227
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9-12
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