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University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19104 | (215) 898-50001 College Hall, Room 100, Philadelphia, PA 19104 | (215) 898-5000#6 in National Universities (tie)Overall Score 93/1002019 Quick Stats
Tuition and Fees
$57,770 (2019-20)
Room and Board
$16,190 (2019-20)
Total Enrollment
22,376
Application Deadline
Jan. 5
2019 Quick Stats
Tuition and Fees
$57,770 (2019-20)
Room and Board
$16,190 (2019-20)
Total Enrollment
22,376
Application Deadline
Jan. 5
Overview of University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania is a private institution that was founded in 1740. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 10,183, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 299 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Pennsylvania's ranking in the 2020 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 6. Its tuition and fees are $57,770 (2019-20).
The University of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia, was founded by Benjamin Franklin. The Penn Quakers have more than 25 NCAA Division I sports that compete in the Ivy League, and are noted for successful basketball and lacrosse teams. Penn offers housing in more than 10 College Houses, but many students live in the numerous off-campus apartments and houses available. More than 25 percent of the student body is involved in Greek life, which encompasses nearly 50 fraternities and sororities. The school also offers a number of clubs and organizations, ranging from performance groups like the Latin & Ballroom Dance club to student publications such as the Penn Political Review. Penn works closely with the West Philadelphia area through community service and advocacy groups.
Penn has 12 schools: Five offer undergraduate and graduate studies, and seven offer only graduate studies. Penn's highly ranked graduate programs include its Wharton School, School of Education, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Law School and School of Medicine. Penn's other notable graduate programs include its School of Design and School of Dental Medicine. Penn, though secular, has a strong religious life with its Hillel for Jewish students, Penn Newman Catholic Center and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. More than 2,500 students each year participate in international study programs offered in more than 50 countries around the world. Notable Penn alumni include singer John Legend, poet William Carlos Williams and President Donald Trump.
Explore University of Pennsylvania
General Information
School Type
Private, Coed
Year Founded
1740
Religious Affiliation
None
Academic Calendar
Semester
Setting
Urban
2018 Endowment
$13.8 billion
School Mission and Unique Qualities
Content is provided by the school.
Inspired by the intellectual audacity and educational ideals of our founder, Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) offers a compelling mixture of world-class liberal arts coursework and pre-professional education. Students apply to one of four undergraduate schools---Arts and Sciences, Nursing, Engineering and Applied Science, or Wharton. Penn also offers an array of exciting interdisciplinary programs and courses which leverage the resources of different departments or schools, such as the Fisher Program in Management and Technology, the Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business, and the Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management. Students are strongly encouraged to engage the world beyond Penn, both locally and globally. Civic House provides a "hub" for students interested in all kinds of community service while the Center for Community Partnerships coordinates over 150 Academically Based Community Service courses each term which link theory and practice through activities that make a significant difference in West Philadelphia and the City. Opportunities for global engagement include Penn Abroad, through which more than 600 Penn undergraduates each year spend a semester or longer abroad, more than any other Ivy League school. Nearly 15% of our undergraduates come to Penn from other countries, providing a linguistically and culturally diverse environment. As one of the worlds premier research universities, Penn offers students the opportunity to learn by participating in the hands-on creation of new knowledge. The Center for Undergraduate Research, the Kelly Writers House, the Weiss Tech House, and the Penn Museum are places that connect undergraduates to leading researchers at Penn and to the cutting-edge ideas of its laboratories and seminar rooms. The academic experience at Penn is integrated with social and extra-curricular life. Almost all first-year students reside within the eleven College Houses at Penn, which link intellectual and social experiences through close contact with faculty-in-residence and student resident assistants. Penn has over 300 student groups ranging from political action to performing arts to sports clubs to student publications offering all students opportunities to pursue a wide-range of interests. Such opportunities extend beyond campus to the City of Philadelphia where students can experience the rich cultural, athletic, social, and political life of Americas most historic city. Today Ben Franklin would marvel at the intellectual and social excitement of the diverse and dynamic institution he founded.
2020 Rankings
University of Pennsylvania is ranked #6 in National Universities. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
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Alumni Starting Salaries
Below are the median starting salaries by major for alumni of University of Pennsylvania.
Median starting salary of alumni
$68,100
By major
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Social Sciences
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Engineering
Health Professions and Related Programs
Data provided by 
Last updated 2019.
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This School's Questions & Answers
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University of Pennsylvania Photos
Applying
When applying to University of Pennsylvania, it's important to note the application deadline is Jan. 5, and the early decision deadline is Nov. 1. The application fee at University of Pennsylvania is $75. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due Feb. 1. It is most selective, with an acceptance rate of 8 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
Selectivity
Most selective
Fall 2018 acceptance rate
8%
Application deadline
Jan. 5
SAT/ACT scores must be received by
Feb. 1
Priority application deadline
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at University of Pennsylvania is 6:1, and the school has 71 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of Pennsylvania include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Social Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Engineering; and Health Professions and Related Programs. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 98 percent.
Class Sizes:
Student-faculty ratio
6:1
4-year graduation rate
85%
Total faculty
Student Life
University of Pennsylvania has a total undergraduate enrollment of 10,183, with a gender distribution of 48 percent male students and 52 percent female students. At this school, 51 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated or -affiliated housing and 45 percent of students live off campus. In sports, University of Pennsylvania is part of the NCAA I.
Student Gender Distribution:
Total enrollment
22,376
Collegiate athletic association
NCAA I
Full-time degree-seeking students
Cost & Financial Aid
At University of Pennsylvania, 46 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid, and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $48,787.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs, or use the U.S. News 529 Finder to choose the best tax-advantaged college investment account for you.
Financial Aid Statistics:
Applied for need-based aid
Need was fully met
Received need-based financial aid
Received need-based self-help aid
Average percent of need met
Tuition and fees
$57,770 (2019-20)
Room and board
$16,190 (2019-20)
Minimum credits per term a student can take for full-time tuition price
Campus Safety
Campus safety data were reported by the institution to the U.S. Department of Education and have not been independently verified. The numbers for criminal offenses reflect reports of alleged offenses to campus security and/or law enforcement authorities, not necessarily prosecutions or convictions. Experts advise prospective students and their families to do their own research to evaluate the safety of a campus as well as the surrounding area.
Campus Services
University of Pennsylvania offers a number of student services, including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, day care, health service, health insurance. University of Pennsylvania also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc.). Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at University of Pennsylvania.
Students who have cars on campus
N/A
Health insurance offered
Yes
Nearest airports (miles)
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Undergraduate data are based on the 2018 school year.
* Median starting salary for alumni with three years of postgraduation work experience and whose highest degree is a bachelor's
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