University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA · Private

Official website

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Admission rate

University of Pennsylvania admitted 5.4% of applicants university-wide (3,523 of 65,236).

CohortAdmit rateAdmittedApplicants
University-wide5.4%3,52365,236
In-state8.4%4405,219
Out-of-state6.0%2,64444,290
International applicants2.8%43915,727
Early Decision (binding)14.2%1,2358,683
Men5.4%1,63430,339
Women5.4%1,88934,887

Early Decision applicants were admitted at 14.2%, vs 5.4% overall — ED is a binding commitment.

Of 3,523 admitted students, 2,395 enrolled (68.0% yield).

University of Pennsylvania Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections C1–C2 · 2024Published cohort admit rates — context, not an applicant-specific probability.

Test scores and GPA of admitted students

ACT (mid-50%)
34–36
GPA (mid-50%, 4.0 scale)
3.754.00

Testing policy: Test-optional (considered if submitted)

University of Pennsylvania Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections C9–C12 · 2024Published admit stats reflect the entire incoming class unless explicitly labeled international-only.

Cost and financial aid

Published cost of attendance: $92,218/yr.

Out-of-state tuition$68,686
Fees, housing, food, books & other$23,532
Sticker cost of attendance$92,218/yr

Average net price by family income (US, federal aid data)

$30k–48k$316
$48k–75k$10,439
$75k–110k$25,476
Over $110k$55,972

U.S. Dept. of Education · College Scorecard — average net price by family income (Title IV, from IPEDS) · 2023

US applicants

Need- and merit-based aid available.

  • Penn GrantVaries (Need Based)

International applicants

Meets full demonstrated need for internationals.

  • Penn World Scholars Program$2,000 one-time grant (Merit)
  • Penn GrantVaries (Need Based)

University of Pennsylvania Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections G–H · 2024

Application requirements

US applicants

  • Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge Application
  • Official secondary school transcript
  • Predicted external examination results
  • Certified copies of pre-university exam results
  • Application fee

International applicants

  • Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge Application
  • Official secondary school transcript
  • Predicted external examination results
  • Certified copies of pre-university exam results
  • Application fee
  • English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)
  • GPA credential conversion
  • Predicted Class XII marksheet
  • Financial documentation (I-20)

University of Pennsylvania · Application requirements (official admissions pages) · 2025

Essay prompts

The Common App personal essay is required (one of 7 shared prompts), plus 5 college-specific supplements:

  1. How will you explore your intellectual and academic interests at the University of Pennsylvania? Please consider the specific undergraduate school you have selected.Required
  2. At Wharton, students learn to use business as a force for good to impact the economy and society. Describe a time you had an impact on a person, group, or organization that you were a part of, and how that experience influenced you.Required
  3. Describe a time you advocated for something you believed in. How did this experience shape your understanding of what it means to be an advocate? Please make sure to share how you think the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing might help you in your future advocacy efforts.Required
  4. The flexible structure of The College of Arts and Sciences’ curriculum is designed to inspire exploration, foster connections, and help you create a path of study that suits you. Describe your intended area(s) of study and how the resources and opportunities in the College align with your interests.Required
  5. How did you discover your interest in engineering? What experiences have helped you explore your interest in engineering? How do you envision applying your engineering skills to the world around you?Required

Draft these in the free Essay Coach

Prompts from the Common App member feed · verified Jul 3, 2026

Graduate outcomes

Median earnings
$111,371
Median earnings · 10 years after entry
Graduation rate
96.5%
Within 150% of normal time
First-year retention
98.8%
Return for year two · CDS Section B
Median debt
$15,715
At graduation

University of Pennsylvania · U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (2023 release) · 2023Earnings and debt figures are federal data for aid-receiving graduates — cohort outcomes, not a guarantee for any individual student.

Published rankings

  • U.S. News National: #7
  • WSJ: #9
  • Forbes: #10
  • Niche: #12
  • QS: #15

Deadlines

  • 2026-11-01Early DecisionBinding early round
  • 2027-01-05Regular DecisionStandard deadline

University of Pennsylvania Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections C21–C22 · 2024

Academics and campus

Largest degree fields: Business & marketing (21%), Biological & life sciences (14%), Social sciences (13%).

Student–faculty ratio: 8:1 · 59% of class sections have under 20 students.

University of Pennsylvania Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections E, F, I · 2024Published institutional figures for the reporting year — descriptive of the current student body, not a prediction about your experience.

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