Purchase College vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY with University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY at Purchase College is located in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY at Purchase College 12:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Purchase College vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Purchase College or Penn? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at SUNY at Purchase College than Penn ($18,211 vs. $23,570).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 14.3% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($16,436 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 667.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $59,733 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 257.7% higher at Penn than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $49,483 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY at Purchase College than at University of Pennsylvania (72% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 527.5% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($65,458 vs. $10,432).

Purchase College vs. Penn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Purchase College or Penn? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn and Purchase College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 260 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming Penn students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 27/30; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Purchase College - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Purchase College vs. 68% at Penn.

Purchase College vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Purchase College and Penn? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $83,400 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $1,867 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($20,633 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($213 vs. $232).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.