University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
How selective is it?
University of Pennsylvania is in our Most Selective tier (Under ~15% acceptance). Admission is a long shot for nearly every applicant, strong grades and scores are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Third-party estimate ~6%.
Tiers are broad on purpose. Acceptance rates move every cycle, and many schools are more competitive for specific majors than the school overall, so use this as a starting point for your list, not a prediction.
How to use University of Pennsylvania in your college list
Treat this as a reach for nearly every applicant, even with top grades and test scores. Apply because the school fits you, not because you expect to get in, and balance it with several schools in lower tiers. Review at these schools is typically holistic, so essays, activities, and recommendations carry real weight.
Building a list across tiers? See all 14 Pennsylvania colleges in our finder, or follow our guide to building a list by score and GPA.
What it's known for
University of Pennsylvania is widely recognized for strengths in the fields below. This reflects peer-assessment rankings and long-standing reputation, not a full list of programs.
Explore related majors: Business Administration, Accounting, Nursing, Finance, Health Sciences, Marketing, Public Health, Entrepreneurship.
Check the current numbers yourself
For University of Pennsylvania's current test-score and GPA ranges, acceptance rate, and cost, go to the source:
- Find its Common Data Set ↗ Section C has the middle 50% of scores and GPA. Our step-by-step guide shows how to read it.
- College Scorecard ↗ U.S. Department of Education data on cost, graduation, and outcomes.
- Net price calculator ↗ Estimate what your family would actually pay after aid.
- Find the official admissions page ↗ Deadlines, requirements, and how to apply.
Similar colleges to consider
Schools with a similar selectivity, in the same state, or known for the same fields. A balanced list usually mixes a few reaches, several realistic targets, and at least one or two safeties.
- University of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI · Highly Selective
- Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA · Most Selective
- Emory UniversityAtlanta, GA · Most Selective
- New York UniversityNew York, NY · Most Selective
- University of Notre DameNotre Dame, IN · Most Selective
- University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA · Most Selective
Frequently asked questions
How selective is University of Pennsylvania?+
University of Pennsylvania sits in our "Most Selective" tier (Under ~15% acceptance). Third-party estimate ~6%.
Is University of Pennsylvania hard to get into?+
Admission is a long shot for nearly every applicant, strong grades and scores are a starting point, not a guarantee. Selectivity varies by major and changes every admissions cycle, so treat the tier as a starting point and check University of Pennsylvania's own admissions data for the current year.
What is University of Pennsylvania known for?+
University of Pennsylvania is widely recognized for strengths in Business, Accounting, Nursing & Health. This reflects reputation and peer-assessment rankings, not a complete list of programs, so confirm that a specific major is offered and how competitive it is.
How do I find University of Pennsylvania's current SAT, ACT, and GPA ranges?+
Search "University of Pennsylvania Common Data Set" and open Section C, which lists the middle 50% of test scores and GPA for the entering class. Our guide "How to Build Your Own College List by Score and GPA" on this site walks through it step by step.
Where is University of Pennsylvania?+
University of Pennsylvania is a private institution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Selectivity tiers and "known for" tags are general guidance compiled from public sources and may be out of date. MajorAtlas isn't affiliated with University of Pennsylvania. Always confirm details with the school.