University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA · Large city
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 5.4%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 59,465
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 3,489
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 2,416
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 69%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 5.8%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 5.9%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 740–770
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 770–800
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 34–36
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 51% / 19%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- required
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- considered
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- considered
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- not considered
- Personal statement or essay
- considered
- Legacy status
- considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $89,028
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $68,686
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $68,686
- Median debt at graduation
- $15,715
- Students with federal loans
- 9.7%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 97%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 99%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $86,069
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $111,371
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 10,650
- Graduate students
- 17,631
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 8 : 1
- Women
- 55%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 17%
- Full-time faculty
- 79%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- Interim President
- J. Larry Jameson
- Main phone
- (215) 898-5000
- Address
- 34th & Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6303
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (binding) | November 1 | December |
| Regular Decision | January 5 | April |
- Apply with
- Common App, Coalition/Scoir, QuestBridge
- Application fee
- $75 (waivers available)
- SAT/ACT
- Required
- Essays
- 3 Penn-specific short answers, including a school-specific prompt (150–200 words)
- Recommendations
- 1 counselor + 1 core-subject teacher; 1 optional additional
Testing: SAT or ACT required; hardship waiver available
Financial aid policies
- Need-blind for U.S. applicants
- Meets 100% of demonstrated need
- No-loan financial aid
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- Merit scholarships: None; aid is need-based only
- Need-blind for citizens/permanent residents of US, Canada and Mexico
Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)
- Early Decision admit rate
- 13.3% (1,266 of 9,503)
- Waitlist: offered / accepted / admitted
- 3,252 / 2,566 / 60
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: admissions.upenn.edu, admissions.upenn.edu, admissions.upenn.edu, srfs.upenn.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.