Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Online | upenn.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Large City |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
The University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League institution founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1740, occupies a urban campus in Philadelphia's University City district. The campus combines historic Georgian-style architecture with modern facilities across 299 acres, situated three miles from Philadelphia's Center City. Penn operates four undergraduate schools, with the Wharton School of Business and the School of Engineering and Applied Science being among its most prominent programs. The university maintains a highly selective admissions process and is recognized for its interdisciplinary approach, with students required to take courses across multiple schools as part of their degree programs. Students typically reside in the College House system, which consists of 13 residential communities integrating faculty, staff, and undergraduates in both historic and contemporary buildings throughout campus.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Penn is rated within the top 5% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for University of Pennsylvania within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#23 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#23 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#1 in Best Colleges in Pennsylvania
#1 in Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania
#22 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#2 in Best Value Colleges in Pennsylvania
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1500/1570 |
| ACT | 34/35 |
| Estimated GPA | 3.95 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 5, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Extreme |
| Application Fee | $75 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,358 |
| Other Fees | $7,484 |
| Room and Board | $18,496 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,070 |
| Total One Year Cost | $89,028 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 26% |
| Social Sciences | 16% |
| Biology | 8% |
| Engineering | 7% |
| Health Professions | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Penn are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=215062 IPEDS survey data for University of Pennsylvania.
Current students may use the University of Pennsylvania GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025