About

About University of Pennsylvania

ivy leaguewharton business schoolvery high research activityhighly selective admissions

University of Pennsylvania is a private research university in Philadelphia, PA, known for its ivy league, wharton business school, and very high research activity. With an acceptance rate of 6%, Penn is one of the most selective colleges in the United States, typically enrolling around 2,409 students each year. Penn is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1510–1570, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. Penn meets 100% of demonstrated financial need and has replaced loans with grants; for families earning under $200,000, the net cost is often $0.

Admissions

University of Pennsylvania acceptance rate and admitted student profile

one of the most selective colleges in the United States

7%
Overall Accept Rate
4.00
Typical Admitted GPA
1540
Median Admitted SAT
GPATypical admitted range: 3.75 – 4.00 unweighted

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SATSubmitted score range: 1510 – 1570 (test optional)

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ACTScore range: 34 – 36

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ED advantage at University of Pennsylvania: ED acceptance rate is 14% vs 7% regular decision, more than double. If University of Pennsylvaniais your first choice and you've confirmed the financial fit, Early Decision is one of the highest-leverage decisions you can make.

Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to University of Pennsylvania

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Application Strategy
Penn has four undergraduate schools (Wharton, Engineering, College of Arts and Sciences, and Nursing) and you must apply directly to one of them, so be absolutely certain your chosen school aligns with your academic interests because transferring between schools internally is very difficult.
Essay Strategy
Penn's supplemental essays ask you to explain why you chose your specific school within Penn, so go beyond listing programs and connect specific faculty research, curricular requirements like Wharton's learning team model or the College's Sector courses, or unique Penn resources to your concrete goals.

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Financial Aid & Cost

What University of Pennsylvania actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Loan-free financial aid: University of Pennsylvania has replaced all loans with grants. For families earning under $200,000, the average net annual cost is $0. University of Pennsylvania's sticker price of ~$83k/year bears almost no resemblance to what most families pay.
Family IncomeSticker PriceEst. Net Cost / yr
30k-48kOften $0~$83k/yr~$0 / yr
48k-75kOften $0~$83k/yr~$0 / yr
75k-110k~$83k/yr$25.5k
110k+~$83k/yr$56.0k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

97%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$91k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
6:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
13,717
Undergrad Enrollment
University of Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch