First things first: We’re the University of Pennsylvania (aka Penn), an Ivy League research university founded by Ben Franklin in the heart of Philadelphia. Did that sound stuffy? It felt stuffy. Here’s what we’re really about:

Penn is a place for people who want to do something big. But it’s also for people for who want to try a bunch of little things first. It’s a place for sparking revolutionary ideas. For pioneering thinkers. And it’s a place that will help you figure out what inspires and excites you. Where you won’t just gain knowledge, you’ll make it. You’ll research solutions, invent ideas, engineer art – all in a culture that’s not about perfection, but about perfecting the pursuit.

The people who love it here? People who are drawn to other people and who are curious about everything. This is the time to figure things out. Try everything that seems worthwhile. You’ll find what truly is.

Sound like the place for you? Then we can’t wait to meet you.

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University of Pennsylvania Rankings

Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

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Admissions

Application Deadline

January 5

Acceptance Rate

SAT Range

1500-1570

ACT Range

34-35

Application Fee

$75

SAT/ACT

Considered but not required

High School GPA

Required

Accepts Common App

Yes

Cost

Net Price

$26,123 / year

National

$15,523

Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.

Average Total Aid Awarded

$57,175 / year

National

$7,535

Students Receiving Financial Aid

57%

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Academics

Professors

A+

Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.

Student Faculty Ratio

5:1

Evening Degree Programs

Yes

77%

of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes. 98 responses

68%

of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want. 114 responses

34%

of students agree that the workload is easy to manage. 113 responses

Majors

Four Schools, One University

There’s no one path to success here. Penn has four undergraduate schools that each offer unique opportunities, all on one campus. And our students have access to all of them. You’ll choose a school or program to serve as your home base, but you’ll never be limited to just one thing. And if you don’t see the path you want to take here? We’ll help you make one.

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Online

Programs Offered Entirely Online

Offers Online Courses

Yes

Online Certificate Programs

Online Associates Programs

Online Bachelor's Programs

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Mix of Online and on Campus
7%
On Campus
88%
Online
5%

Students

Full-Time Enrollment

10,412 Undergrads

Part-Time Undergrads

838

Undergrads Over 25

Pell Grant

16%

Varsity Athletes

10%

Poll

What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?

Based on 79 responses

Work hard, play hard
23%
Driven
22%
Overly stressed obsessively "busy"
16%
There is no typical student
16%
Overachieving
11%
Composed and hard working
5%
"Composed", actually chronically stressed
4%

Campus Life

Freshmen Live On-Campus

100%

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Poll

51%

of students say that Greek life is pretty big. 108 responses

Poll

60%

of students say varsity sporting events are attended, but not a huge part of campus life. 144 responses

Poll

What one word or phrase best describes your school?

Based on 81 responses

Work Hard Play Hard
51%
Dynamic
12%
Diverse
11%
Intellectual
11%
Well-rounded
10%
Ecclectic
4%
Fast-paced
1%

After College

Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation

$85,900 / year

National

$33,028

Graduation Rate

96%

National

49%

Employed 2 Years After Graduation

91%

National

83%

88%

of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation. 67 responses

University of Pennsylvania Reviews

1,361 reviews

It's important to acknowledge that college experiences vary greatly from person to person, and while some may face challenges or difficulties, others may find their time in college to be transformative and rewarding. Instead of focusing on the negatives, perhaps you could consider exploring constructive criticism or discussing specific areas for improvement in the college experience. This approach allows for a more balanced and productive discussion that can lead to positive changes and improvements in the education system. If you have specific concerns about your college experience, it might be helpful to address them directly with the appropriate channels within your institution or seek support from counselors or advisors. Remember, challenges are a natural part of any educational journey, and there are often resources available to help navigate them.

Review University of Pennsylvania

Penn is a hard place to be if you don't know what you want to do in life. Some people get lucky with advisors, but a lot of them simply don't care, and the funding is set up in a way that pits the different schools against one another, leading to structures that serve schools rather than students. However, there are many things to Penn's credit as well. Our academics in most programs, particularly engineering, anything related to the cognitive sciences, medicine, etc, are much more rigorous than anything you find at most schools, even some other Ivies, because there's more of an emphasis on theory in lectures than larger universities, but also a, large amount of practice involved since there's so much pre-professionalism and Ben Franklin founded the school. (Not always a fan of the pre-professionalism but that's a separate thing). Point being, there is both good and bad at Penn, but I find that Penn students generally multifaceted while being more pragmatic than elsewhere.

As a student, my experience was flawless. The campus exuded a tranquil atmosphere with friendly individuals and exceptional professors. As an athlete, every aspect was fulfilling—from the dedicated coach and supportive teammates to the ideal environment for achieving one's goals.

As a student, I found this area incredibly accommodating. It boasted an array of amenities like restaurants, supermarkets, pharmacies, a post office, housing options, parks, proximity to downtown, libraries, and other essential facilities crucial for student life.

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