College Acceptance Rates, Colleges and Universities

UPenn Acceptance Rate

October 18, 2021

By AdmissionSight

UPenn Acceptance Rate: 5.68%

Shortcut to sections offered for UPenn prospective students and the UPenn Acceptance Rate:

Successful Applicant Profile

Demographics
Majors
SAT/ACT scores

Entry Requirements

Tuition
Scholarships
Checklist of Application Requirements
Application Deadlines

What Should You Expect

Student life
Academics offered
Athletics offered
Notable Alumni

When choosing to apply to an esteemed Ivy League university such as UPenn, one of the first things that cross a high schooler’s mind is, “ What are my chances?” It’s an understandable concern as the Ivies are notorious for competitive admissions processes, high standards, and low acceptance rates. The UPenn acceptance rate is no exception to this rule. In fact, it’s one of the lowest even within the Ivy League.

The admissions process at the University of Pennsylvania is already extremely rigorous and is expected to become even more so. Out of a record-breaking pool of 56,333 candidates for the class of 2025, only 3,202 students were awarded admission, resulting in an all-time low acceptance percentage of 5.68 percent. That’s nearly one-fifth of what it was in 1983 when it sat at a comfortable and welcoming 20%. In total, 37,601 high school students applied to the UPenn Class of 2025. Of those tens of thousands of applications, only 1,498 were accepted. In other words, for every 100 people that applied, only four were accepted.

Your odds of admittance to UPenn may be higher or lower, depending on the strength of your profile, although the university’s overall acceptance rate is quite low.

Those odds might seem like something that would deter high schoolers from applying, but the opposite is true. Every year, the number of UPenn applicants has been steadily increasing which is one of the reasons the acceptance rate continues to decline. The UPenn acceptance rate has been on a steady decline for the past decade, reaching a new low nearly every year as the school becomes more selective.

The only other Ivy League school that competes for the title as the “toughest Ivy League school to get into” is Harvard University. Needless to say, UPenn is one of the most competitive schools in the entire country and even the world.

Successful Applicant Profile

Admission rates are one of the most commonly used metrics for determining how difficult it is to get into a university. High schoolers often use this one measurement to gauge their chances of getting accepted. While the UPenn acceptance rate is a good way to estimate the selectivity of the university, there are other, more revealing metrics to keep in mind.

More specifically, looking at the profiles of successful applicants can give you a fairly accurate idea of what it takes to get accepted into UPenn. Fortunately, Ivy League schools and most colleges throughout the country are forthcoming about this information. But there are only certain pieces of information that are comparable between students.

For example, college essay responses, letters of recommendation, and even extracurricular participation are incredibly difficult to compare since many of these are unique to each individual. That’s why we’ll focus on the objective parts of the application including GPA, standardized test scores, and more.

Here are some important details about accepted UPenn applicants so you can judge where you stand in comparison to better understand where you can improve.

Where are the applicants from?

UPenn attracts a diverse student body each year. In 2020, 52.8% of students were female while 47.2% were male. A whopping 13% of the student body was comprised of international students, hailing from over a hundred different countries. Of the students who were US citizens, 35.9% were White, 7.7% were Black, 10.5% were Hispanic, 24.7% were Asian or Pacific Islander and 0.1% were native.

What are the usual fields of concentration?

UPenn might be a smaller school when compared to many public universities, but it doesn’t have a shortage of areas of study. In fact, UPenn offers nearly 100 different majors split into four schools. The student-to-faculty ratio rests at 6:1, meaning there are six students for every one instructor on average. Furthermore, nearly 70% of UPenn’s classes have less than 20 students, making for a more intimate classroom environment.

The most popular degrees at UPenn for accepted applications include:

Business, Management, Marketing
Social Sciences
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Engineering
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Interdisciplinary Studies
Mathematics and Statistics
Physical Sciences

What are the general SAT & ACT scores of admitted students?

Among the accepted applicants at UPenn, 62% submitted an SAT score. Of that group, the mid-50% range was between 1450 and 1560. More specifically, the SAT scores for the reading portion hovered between 700 and 760. The scores for the math section were between 750 and 800.

The average ACT scores among accepted UPenn applicants were just as impressive with a mid-50% range between 33 and 35. Exactly half of the applicants submitted an ACT score. In the English section, the average score was between 34 and 36 while the range for the math section was between 32 and 35. The math portion was between 8 and 10.

At AdmissionSight, we advise high schoolers to start preparing for the ACT or SAT in their freshman or sophomore year of high school. These tests are fairly easy to prepare for as there’s so much information regarding their content already out there. In fact, there are even standardized test scores that were administered in the past that students can practice with.

Although there’s technically no limit on how many times you can take the SAT and ACT, we recommend keeping it below five times. Retaking these standardized tests over and over again can reflect poorly on your application as it shows you weren’t well-prepared to take it beforehand. Taking it two, three, or – at maximum – three times, is the best option.

What was the average GPA for accepted UPenn students?

The average unweighted GPA for admitted UPenn applicants was an impressive 3.9. Pretty impressive, right? This requires applicants to be at the top of their game with As in nearly every class in order to remain competitive in the admissions process.

It’s no secret that UPenn University is an incredibly competitive and selective school. It attracts some of the most talented and skilled students throughout the entire country and even the world. In order to secure a position, you’ll need to ace your high school courses and consistently challenge yourself with difficult courses considering the UPenn acceptance rate.

At AdmissionSight, we highly advise students to take advanced placement (AP) or honors courses in high school. Not only do these challenging courses improve your academic development for college, but they also work to improve your application as they’re weighted heavier than other classes.

Another major advantage of these courses is that they can help your application stand out. Admissions officers at UPenn love to see students who push themselves with more difficult courses. This shows initiative, personal development, and the willingness to take on challenges – all characteristics that will help you excel in college.

UPenn Acceptance Rate Entry Requirements

Now that you have a better understanding of what UPenn is looking for in applicants and its UPenn acceptance rate, let’s see what is required to attend this prestigious institution.

How much will it cost to attend?

UPenn’s low acceptance rate isn’t the only thing that fits the Ivy League stereotype. This university’s tuition rate is also indicative of this group’s high esteem and unmatched value proposition. For the school year of 2021 to 2022, students spent an estimated $83,298 to attend UPenn.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of UPenn’s overall cost:

	On Campus	Off Campus	With Family
Tuition	$54,652*	$54,652*	$54,652*
Fees	$7,058*	$7,058*	$7,058*
Housing	$11,358*	$9,632	$0
Dining	$5,946*	$4,870	$1,948
Books and Supplies	$1,358	$1,358	$1,358
Transportation	$922	$984	$1,566
Personal Expenses	$2,004	$2,004	$2,004
Total Budget	$83,298	$80,558	$68,586

While these costs might seem astronomical at first, they’re much more manageable than they initially appear. Any student can drop the tuition costs considerably by establishing in-state residency since out-of-state students pay a significant amount more because their tuition costs aren’t covered by the local government.

The amount set aside for miscellaneous expenses is also an area where you can bring down the total amount. If you carefully watch how much you spend on transportation, food, and entertainment, you can save a decent amount of money while reducing the cost of a UPenn education.

Even if those options aren’t in the cards for you or you still need a drop in tuition to attend, there are always robust financial aid opportunities at your fingertips. The Ivy League is notorious not only for its steep tuition costs but also for its rich tuition assistance programs. Fortunately, UPenn isn’t an exception to this rule.

What are UPenn’s scholarship and financial aid opportunities?

The cost of attending UPenn might eclipse the tuition of most public schools, but the generous financial aid packages make up for it in many ways. Ever since 2001, UPenn has done away with student loans entirely and replaced them with grants. This way, no student will have to borrow in order to have their financial needs met when attending UPenn.

Students can also receive funding to attend UPenn from state and federal grants or loans. Many of these financial aid packages fall into needs-based on non-needs-based loans. The former is dependent upon a student’s economic standing or that of their parents, and the latter is unrelated to those factors.

Regardless of the type of financial support a UPenn student receives, it’s advisable to work with a reputable college admissions expert like AdmissionSight considering the UPenn acceptance rate and to make sure the financial assistance is a good idea for the student. Requirements, interest rates, payback periods, and a lot of other fine-print are crucial to making the right decision when it comes to student financial aid opportunities.

UPenn Financial Aid in Numbers

Sometimes, it’s helpful to see statistics related to tuition assistance to gain a better idea of what you can personally expect to receive from UPenn. Of course, every case is different as admissions officers treat each applicant individually. Here, we’ll take a look at some key numbers for UPenn students in relation to financial support.

UPenn is committed to meeting 100% of financial needs through work-study funding and grants so all eligible applicants can receive a world-class education. Since 2004, UPenn has provided over $2 billion in undergraduate funding to over 22,000 students.

46% of undergraduates received financial aid in the form of grants from 2018 to 2019 with an average grant package over $54,000.

Students whose family incomes fall below $65,000 receive complete financial aid packages that fully cover tuition, room, board, and fees. Many students are eligible to receive additional funding for summer opportunities, laptops, and more.

Undergrads with family incomes within $65,000 and $140,000 can receive robust financial aid packages covering tuition at a minimum, although many receive more. Students whose family income exceeds $140,000 that still qualify for aid can receive moderate aid packages greater than half the overall cost of tuition.

Only 27% of undergrads obtaining need-based aid had to take out loans of any kind to cover the cost of attending UPenn. This is down from 80% in 2004. When the dollar value is held constant, the total costs of first-year students to UPenn have decreased by 23.2% on average since 2005.

These are some pretty staggering numbers, huh? As you can see, no matter where you come from or what your family’s income is like, you’ll have the support and financial aid you need to attend UPenn if that’s your ultimate goal. The school has made some major changes over the past few decades to make it easier for students to receive a world-class education. That could be you!

UPenn Financial Aid in Numbers

UPenn is committed to meeting 100% of financial needs through work-study funding and grants so all eligible applicants can receive a world-class education.
Since 2004, UPenn has provided over $2 billion in undergraduate funding to over 22,000 students.
46% of undergraduates received financial aid in the form of grants from 2018 to 2019 with an average grant package over $54,000.
Students whose family incomes fall below $65,000 receive complete financial aid packages that fully cover tuition, room, board, and fees.
Many students are eligible to receive additional funding for summer opportunities, laptops, and more.
Undergrads with family incomes within $65,000 and $140,000 can receive robust financial aid packages covering tuition at a minimum, although many receive more.
Students whose family income exceeds $140,000 that still qualify for aid can receive moderate aid packages greater than half the overall cost of tuition.
Only 27% of undergrads obtaining need-based aid had to take out loans of any kind to cover the cost of attending UPenn. This is down from 80% in 2004.
When the dollar value is held constant, the total costs of first-year students to UPenn have decreased by 23.2% on average since 2005.

What’s required to apply to UPenn?

The application requirements for UPenn are fairly straightforward and mirror what you’ll see at other universities and colleges throughout the country. For first-year applications, here are the required documents all of which you must submit prior to the deadline.

Common Application or Coalition Application
UPenn College Essay
Official High School Transcript
School Report
Three Letters of Recommendation
Early Decision Agreement (if you’re applying for Early Decision)
Mid-Year High School Report
Final High School Report
Standardized Test Scores
Supplementary Materials
Financial Aid Materials

You can find more information about what’s specifically required by visiting the official UPenn website.

What are UPenn’s application deadlines?

UPenn offers two application timelines for students: Early and Regular Decision. The application deadlines for each are:

Early Decision: November 1, 2021

Regular Decision: January 5, 2022

All applicants have to pay a $75 application fee whether they end up getting accepted or not. This fee is NOT refundable. !

What Should You Expect at UPenn

What is student life like?

UPenn is often regarded as the social ivy for its rich tradition of social events and fun atmosphere. UPenn students are warm, welcoming, and very friendly but there’s still an element of competitiveness as students are invested in improving their abilities and reaching their academic goals. UPenn often ranks within the Top 10 happiest schools in the country despite the UPenn acceptance rate.

What kind of academics are offered at UPenn?

UPenn offers nearly 100 different majors spanned across four primary undergraduate schools:

The College of Arts and Sciences
The School of Nursing
Penn Engineering
The Wharton School of Business

You can view all of UPenn’s academic offerings here.

What kind of athletics are offered at UPenn?

UPenn has a rich culture of athletics with recreational and intercollegiate opportunities available for students of all experience levels. There are countless athletic facilities available to all students too, making it easier to lead a healthy lifestyle while at college.

Who are some notable UPenn alumni?

UPenn, like many Ivy League schools, has produced some incredibly well-known and famous alumni. Here are just a few you might recognize:

Jon Hunstman Jr.
John Legend
Elizabeth Banks
Tory Burch
Elon Musk
Warren Buffet
Noam Chomsky
Cenk Uygur
William Henry Harrison
Ezra Pound

And that’s just scratching the surface!

Overcome the UPenn Acceptance Rate – Get Into Your Dream School

Are you planning to apply to UPenn or another Ivy League school? Congratulations! That commitment to excellence is a feat in-and-of-itself. It’s common for high schoolers to feel confused and stressed about the college admissions, UPenn acceptance rate, and process in general.

This is especially true in the face of the competitive UPenn Acceptance rate. But you don’t have to feel that way. In fact, there’s a simple way you can greatly increase your chances of getting into the Ivies: working with a college entrance expert like AdmissionSight.

At AdmissionSight, we’ve been helping high schoolers better understand, prepare for, and master the college admissions process. We specialize in supporting students who are preparing to apply to the country’s top colleges, and we’ve maintained a proven track record of success. In fact, 75% of the students we work with get accepted into an Ivy League school or Top 10 University. You could be next!

How do we do it? Well, we’re glad you asked! We offer a wide range of services specifically designed to help strengthen your college application. Whether you need a hand choosing the best high school courses, selecting strong extracurriculars, improving your college essays, or anything else related to college admissions, we’re here to help! Our services are all custom-tailored to suit your strengths, goals, and preferences.

Sound like a good match? Feel free to contact us to learn more about the UPenn acceptance rate we have to offer and how you can benefit. We’ll set up a free consultation so you can get all of your questions answered.