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University of Pennsylvania

Private

Philadelphia, PA

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University of Pennsylvania is a private large school in Philadelphia, PA, enrolling about 10,650 undergraduates. It's highly selective, admitting about 5% of applicants. Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services graduates, especially in Computer and Information Sciences, General, report the strongest earnings here: a median of $241,380/year. Most students arrange their own housing since on-campus living isn't required.

Admissions

Admit rate5%
SAT range1510–1570
ACT range34–36
Undergrads10,650
Yield (admits who enroll)68%
Next deadlineNov 1, 2026 (ED1)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$89,028
4-year grad rate97%
Median earnings, 10yr out$111,371

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

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How University of Pennsylvania weighs your application

From University of Pennsylvania's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?

Academic factors
Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
Class rankImportant
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresConsidered
Application essayVery important
RecommendationsVery important
Nonacademic factors
InterviewNot considered
Extracurricular activitiesImportant
Talent/abilityImportant
Character/personal qualitiesVery important
First generationConsidered
Alumni relation (legacy)Considered
Geographical residenceConsidered
State residencyConsidered
Religious affiliationNot considered
Volunteer workImportant
Work experienceImportant
Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Not considered
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Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans10%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out84%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Neurobiology and Neurosciences$78,295/yr
Biology, General$68,435/yr
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Finance and Financial Management Services$202,069/yr
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods$153,279/yr
Business Administration, Management and Operations$136,806/yr
Marketing$112,211/yr
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Communication and Media Studies$114,266/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer and Information Sciences, General$241,380/yr
Engineering
Biomedical/Medical Engineering$126,419/yr
Mechanical Engineering$114,492/yr
Chemical Engineering$109,884/yr
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General$61,989/yr
Health Professions and Related Programs
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$98,475/yr
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions$76,395/yr
History
History$88,517/yr
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Cognitive Science$109,784/yr
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Philosophy$107,454/yr
Psychology
Psychology, General$73,012/yr
Social Sciences
Economics$129,985/yr
Political Science and Government$93,033/yr
International Relations and National Security Studies$87,439/yr
Urban Studies/Affairs$73,190/yr
Sociology$72,217/yr
Visual and Performing Arts
Fine and Studio Arts$44,735/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity6,316
Typical room charge$11,754
Typical board charge$6,134

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPARequired
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsRequired

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What does University of Pennsylvania look for in applicants?

Per University of Pennsylvania's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates recommendations, rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, application essay, character/personal qualities as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.

What is University of Pennsylvania's acceptance rate?

University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA admits approximately 5% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for University of Pennsylvania?

Admitted students at University of Pennsylvania typically score between 1510–1570 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for University of Pennsylvania?

Admitted students at University of Pennsylvania typically score between 34–36 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does University of Pennsylvania cost?

University of Pennsylvania's total cost of attendance is reported at $89,028 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for University of Pennsylvania?

University of Pennsylvania's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (ED1), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does University of Pennsylvania require students to live on campus?

No -- University of Pennsylvania doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.

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