University of Pennsylvania
About University of Pennsylvania
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
UPenn is a private Ivy League research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is known for its Wharton School of Business, one of the best in the world, alongside top programs in medicine, law, nursing, and engineering.
Founded
1740
Location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Students
28,281
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
5.4%
Highly selective
Graduation Rate
96.5%
Above national average
Tuition
$68,686
Per year
Avg Net Price
$28,699
After financial aid
SAT Average
1553
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$111,371
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Most Selective
Only 5.4 out of 100 applicants are accepted
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Required
Application Fee
$75
Early
Nov 1
Regular
Jan 5
With a 5.4% acceptance rate and an average SAT of 1553, University of Pennsylvania is among the most selective schools in the country. Every part of your application needs to stand out.
SAT Scores
1553/ 1600
ACT Scores
34/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Excellent
96.5% complete their degree within six years
Retention
98.9%
4-Year Grad
89%
6-Year Grad
96%
Teaching Quality
8:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
78.7%
$/Student
$68.0K
Class Size
Small
89% of students graduate on time, and with a 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio, it's clear students get the personal attention they need to succeed.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$68,686
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$19,174
Books & Supplies
$1,358
Total Cost of Attendance
$89,028
After Financial Aid
$28,699
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$-3,012
Receive Grants
16.5%
Take Loans
9.7%
Don't let the $68,686 sticker price scare you. Most students pay around $28,699 after financial aid, a 58% discount. Families earning under $30K pay closer to $-3,012.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at University of Pennsylvania fund their education.
While in School
16.5%
Get Grants
Free money
9.7%
Take Loans
Must repay
$39,832
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$15,715
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$167/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
Only 9.7% of students take out federal loans, and those who do graduate with a median of $15,715. Many students here manage to minimize borrowing.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends University of Pennsylvania.
Gender
55%
Female
45%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
10,650
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
17,631
Graduates
18.8%
First-Gen
22 yrs
Avg Age
6.8%
Age 25+
Men make up the majority at 45% of the student body. 18.8% are first-generation college students. 12.6% international students bring global perspectives to campus life.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Large
Campus Quick Facts
10,650
Students
private
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
R1 Research
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
Yes
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
What Students Say
Pros
- +Philadelphia is vibrant, walkable, and historic
- +Ivy League resources with a practical career focus
- +West Philly has a diverse and lively food scene
- +Easy access to NYC and DC by train
Cons
- -West Philadelphia safety concerns at night
- -Pre-professional culture can feel intense
- -Greek life plays an outsized role socially
- -Cost of living in Philly is rising fast
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
University of Pennsylvania fields 18 varsity teams with 1,092 student athletes, about 10% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division I-FCS
Conference
Ivy League
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
18
Biggest: Track & Cross Country
Student Athletes
1,092
10% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
58% / 42%
629
Men
463
Women
14
Men's Teams
14
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of University of Pennsylvaniaearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$111,371
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Data Analytics
—
261 grads
Economics
$89K
238 grads
1yr Earnings
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
$105K
200 grads
1yr Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
$81K
183 grads
1yr Earnings
Philosophy
$73K
180 grads
1yr Earnings
Computer and Information Sciences, General
$146K
177 grads
1yr Earnings
Graduates start at $91K six years out, climb to $108K by year eight, and reach $111K by year ten. That upward trajectory shows the degree keeps paying off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about University of Pennsylvania
What is the acceptance rate at University of Pennsylvania?▾
How much does University of Pennsylvania cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at University of Pennsylvania?▾
How much do University of Pennsylvania graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.