Penn
University of Pennsylvania · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Private
Penn admitted 4.9% of 72,544 applicants (Common Data Set 2025-2026). First-year students who sent the SAT scored 1510–1570 in the middle half. Test scores are required. 97% of students graduate within six years.
Your chances at Penn
Enter a score to see whether Penn is a reach, target or likely school for you.
It admits 4.9% of applicants, so it’s a reach for everyone, even with perfect scores.
A rough read from the admit rate and test scores only. Grades, courses, essays and activities matter as much or more.
Early decision and early action
Early decision applicants were admitted at 13% (1,266 of 9,503), compared with 4.9% for all applicants.
Early applicants often include recruited athletes and students with stronger applications, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps one student.
3,252 students were offered a spot on the waitlist, 2,566 took it, and 60 were admitted from it.
What admissions weighs
How Penn rates each part of an application, from its Common Data Set.
Very important
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Character
Important
- Class rank
- Activities
- Talent or ability
- Volunteering
- Work experience
Considered
- Test scores
- First generation
- Legacy
- Where you live
- State residency
- Showing interest
Not considered
- Interview
- Religion
High school GPA
First-year students averaged a 3.90 GPA. 92% of those who reported a class rank were in the top 10% of their class.
Some colleges report weighted GPAs, so compare loosely.
What it costs
Full price with housing is $89,028 a year. After grants, students paid $26,017 on average.
Average price after grants, by family income:
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