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| website = https://www.upenn.edu
| website = https://www.upenn.edu
| established = 1740
| established = 1740
| founder = Benjamin Franklin
| founder = [https://biography.wiki/b/Benjamin_Franklin Benjamin Franklin]
| owner = Board of Trustees
| owner = Board of Trustees
| employees = 55,000+ (including health system)
| employees = 55,000+ (including health system)
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}}
}}


The '''University of Pennsylvania''' (commonly referred to as '''Penn''' or '''UPenn''') is a private Ivy League research university in [[Philadelphia]]. Founded in 1740 and organized by [[Benjamin Franklin]] in 1749, Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution. The university is located in [[University City]], West Philadelphia, where its 299-acre main campus includes over 220 buildings housing 12 schools and numerous research centers.<ref name="upenn-facts">{{cite web |url=https://www.upenn.edu/about/facts |title=Facts |publisher=University of Pennsylvania |access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>
The '''University of Pennsylvania''' (usually called '''Penn''' or '''UPenn''') is a private Ivy League research university in [[Philadelphia]]. Founded in 1740 and organized by [[Benjamin Franklin]] in 1749, it's the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution. The main campus sits in [[University City]], West Philadelphia, spanning 299 acres with over 220 buildings that house 12 schools and numerous research centers.<ref name="upenn-facts">{{cite web |url=https://www.upenn.edu/about/facts |title=Facts |publisher=University of Pennsylvania |access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>


Penn is home to the Wharton School, the nation's first business school and consistently ranked among the world's best. The university also established the first medical school in the American colonies (1765), the first university teaching hospital (1874), and was the first American institution to be designated a "university" (1779). With an endowment of $22.35 billion and a research budget exceeding $1.45 billion, Penn is one of the wealthiest and most research-intensive universities in the world. The university employs over 55,000 people including its health system, making it one of Philadelphia's largest employers.<ref name="upenn-history">{{cite web |url=https://www.upenn.edu/about/history |title=Penn's History |publisher=University of Pennsylvania |access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>
Penn is home to the Wharton School, the nation's first business school and consistently ranked among the world's best. It also established the first medical school in the American colonies (1765), the first university teaching hospital (1874), and was the first American institution to be designated a "university" (1779). With an endowment of $22.35 billion and a research budget exceeding $1.45 billion, Penn ranks among the wealthiest and most research-intensive universities globally. Over 55,000 people work there, including its health system staff, making it one of Philadelphia's largest employers.<ref name="upenn-history">{{cite web |url=https://www.upenn.edu/about/history |title=Penn's History |publisher=University of Pennsylvania |access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
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=== Founder ===
=== Founder ===


The University of Pennsylvania was founded by '''[[Benjamin Franklin]]''', the renowned Founding Father, inventor, and civic leader. In 1749, Franklin circulated a pamphlet titled "Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pensilvania," outlining his vision for a "Public Academy of Philadelphia" that would train young people for leadership in business, government, and public service.
'''[[Benjamin Franklin]]''', the renowned Founding Father, inventor, and civic leader, founded the University of Pennsylvania. In 1749, Franklin distributed a pamphlet called "Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pensilvania," laying out his vision for a "Public Academy of Philadelphia" that'd prepare young people for careers in business, government, and public service.


Franklin's educational philosophy was revolutionary for its time. While other colonial colleges primarily trained students for the Christian ministry, Franklin proposed a practical curriculum combining classical education with instruction in science, mathematics, history, logic, and philosophy. This innovative approach laid the groundwork for the modern liberal arts curriculum.<ref name="upenn-founder">{{cite web |url=https://provider.www.upenn.edu/about/founder.php |title=About Our Founder |publisher=University of Pennsylvania |access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>
His educational philosophy was genuinely ahead of its time. Most colonial colleges trained students for Christian ministry, but Franklin wanted something different. He proposed a practical curriculum mixing classical education with science, mathematics, history, logic, and philosophy. This forward-thinking approach became the foundation for the modern liberal arts curriculum.<ref name="upenn-founder">{{cite web |url=https://provider.www.upenn.edu/about/founder.php |title=About Our Founder |publisher=University of Pennsylvania |access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>


Franklin organized 24 trustees from Philadelphia's leading citizens—the first non-sectarian board of trustees in America. He served as president of the Academy from 1749 to 1755 and remained on the Board of Trustees until his death in 1790.
Franklin brought together 24 trustees from Philadelphia's leading citizens. This was America's first non-sectarian board of trustees. He served as president of the Academy from 1749 to 1755 and stayed on the Board of Trustees until his death in 1790.


=== Founding Date ===
=== Founding Date ===


Penn officially uses '''1740''' as its founding date. That year, a group of Philadelphians began constructing a large preaching hall for George Whitefield, a traveling Anglican evangelist. The building was the largest in Philadelphia at the time, but the project stalled due to insufficient funding.
Penn officially uses '''1740''' as its founding date, though the story's more complicated than that. In that year, a group of Philadelphians began construction on a large preaching hall for George Whitefield, a traveling Anglican evangelist. It was the biggest building in Philadelphia at the time, but the project ran out of money and stalled.


When Franklin established his academy in 1749, the trustees acquired this unfinished building on Fourth Street. Because Franklin's institution inherited and completed the 1740 structure, the university claims 1740 as its founding year. Other significant dates in Penn's early history include:
When Franklin set up his academy in 1749, the trustees bought this incomplete building on Fourth Street. Franklin's institution inherited and finished the 1740 structure, so the university claims 1740 as its founding year. Other important dates in Penn's early history are:


* '''1749''' - Franklin convenes the first Board of Trustees
* '''1749''' - Franklin convenes the first Board of Trustees
Line 47: Line 47:
=== Historical Firsts ===
=== Historical Firsts ===


Penn has pioneered numerous academic and institutional innovations:
Penn's been first at a lot of things:


* First collegiate business school in the world (Wharton, 1881)
* First collegiate business school in the world (Wharton, 1881)
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=== Ivy League Membership ===
=== Ivy League Membership ===


The University of Pennsylvania is a member of the Ivy League, the prestigious athletic conference comprising eight private universities in the Northeastern United States. The Ivy League includes:
The University of Pennsylvania belongs to the Ivy League, eight private universities in the Northeastern United States known for academic excellence and selective admissions. The eight schools are:


* Brown University
* Brown University
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* Yale University
* Yale University


While the Ivy League is technically an NCAA Division I athletic conference, the term has become synonymous with academic excellence, selective admissions, and social prestige. Penn competes in all Ivy League sports and has won numerous conference championships.
Technically, the Ivy League is an NCAA Division I athletic conference. But the name means far more than that. It's become shorthand for academic excellence, tough admissions, and social prestige. Penn competes in all Ivy League sports and has won numerous conference championships.


=== Notable Schools and Programs ===
=== Notable Schools and Programs ===


Penn is known for its exceptional programs across multiple disciplines:
Multiple disciplines here are exceptional.


'''Wharton School of Business'''
'''Wharton School of Business'''
The Wharton School, founded in 1881, is the world's first collegiate business school and consistently ranks among the top business schools globally. Wharton enrolled 1,841 undergraduates and 2,486 graduate students in Fall 2024. Notable alumni include Warren Buffett, Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and Sundar Pichai.
 
Founded in 1881, Wharton is the world's first collegiate business school and consistently ranks among the top business schools globally. In Fall 2024, it had 1,841 undergraduates and 2,486 graduate students. Notable alumni include Warren Buffett, Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and Sundar Pichai.


'''Perelman School of Medicine'''
'''Perelman School of Medicine'''
Founded in 1765, Penn's medical school is the oldest in North America. The school is affiliated with Penn Medicine, one of the nation's leading academic medical centers.
 
Penn's medical school opened in 1765, making it the oldest in North America. It partners with Penn Medicine, one of the nation's leading academic medical centers.


'''Other Notable Schools'''
'''Other Notable Schools'''
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* School of Veterinary Medicine
* School of Veterinary Medicine


Penn maintains 214 research centers and institutes with a total research budget of $1.45 billion.
Penn runs 214 research centers and institutes with a total research budget of $1.45 billion.


=== Rankings ===
=== Rankings ===


Penn consistently ranks among the top universities in the United States and the world:
Penn consistently places among the top universities in the United States and worldwide:


* '''U.S. News & World Report''': Top 10 national universities
* '''U.S. News & World Report''': Top 10 national universities
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* '''Times Higher Education''': Top 15 globally
* '''Times Higher Education''': Top 15 globally
* '''Forbes''': Top 10 American universities
* '''Forbes''': Top 10 American universities
* '''Wharton School''': Perennially ranked #1 or #2 among business schools
* '''Wharton School''': Regularly ranked first or second among business schools


Individual programs, particularly in business, medicine, nursing, and law, consistently receive top rankings in their respective fields.
Individual programs, especially in business, medicine, nursing, and law, consistently get top rankings in their fields.


== Admissions ==
== Admissions ==
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=== Acceptance Rate ===
=== Acceptance Rate ===


The University of Pennsylvania's acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 was approximately '''5%''', making it one of the most selective universities in the United States. Penn received over 65,000 applications for approximately 3,500 spots in the incoming class.<ref name="upenn-admissions">{{cite web |url=https://admissions.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/resources-programs/incoming-class-profile |title=Incoming Class Profile |publisher=Penn Admissions |access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>
For the Class of 2029, Penn's acceptance rate was about '''5%''', making it one of the most selective universities in the country. The school received over 65,000 applications for roughly 3,500 spots in the incoming class.<ref name="upenn-admissions">{{cite web |url=https://admissions.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/resources-programs/incoming-class-profile |title=Incoming Class Profile |publisher=Penn Admissions |access-date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
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|}
|}


Penn admits approximately 51% of its class through Early Decision, which typically has a higher acceptance rate (approximately 13-15%) than Regular Decision (approximately 3-4%).
About 51% of the class gets admitted through Early Decision, which typically has a higher acceptance rate (around 13-15%) than Regular Decision (about 3-4%).


=== Test Scores ===
=== Test Scores ===


Admitted students typically have SAT scores in the top percentiles:
Successful applicants typically score in the highest percentiles:


* '''Middle 50% SAT (Evidence-Based Reading/Writing):''' 740-770
* '''Middle 50% SAT (Evidence-Based Reading/Writing):''' 740-770
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* '''Middle 50% ACT:''' 34-36
* '''Middle 50% ACT:''' 34-36


Penn became test-optional during the COVID-19 pandemic but has since reinstated testing requirements. Students should aim for scores in the 1510-1570 SAT range to be competitive.
During COVID-19, Penn went test-optional but has since brought back testing requirements. To be competitive, students should aim for the 1510-1570 SAT range.


=== GPA Requirements ===
=== GPA Requirements ===


The average GPA of admitted students is approximately '''3.9''' on a 4.0 scale. Nearly 92% of admitted students ranked in the top 10% of their high school graduating class.
Admitted students average around '''3.9''' on a 4.0 scale. Nearly 92% ranked in the top 10% of their high school class.


Penn practices holistic admissions, considering academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, essays, recommendations, and demonstrated interest alongside grades and test scores.
Penn looks at the whole applicant: academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, essays, recommendations, and demonstrated interest. Grades and test scores matter, but they're not the whole story.


=== Financial Aid ===
=== Financial Aid ===


Penn does not offer merit-based scholarships. All financial aid is need-based, meaning awards are determined solely by a family's demonstrated financial need.
Penn doesn't give merit scholarships. All financial aid is need-based, determined solely by demonstrated financial need.


However, Penn meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. For families with income below $75,000, Penn typically covers full tuition, room, and board with grant aid (no loans required). Approximately 46% of undergraduates receive need-based financial aid.
But here's the thing: Penn meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. Families earning below $75,000 typically get full tuition, room, and board covered with grants (no loans). Roughly 46% of undergraduates receive need-based financial aid.


Penn's financial aid program includes:
Penn's financial aid includes:
* 100% of demonstrated need met
* 100% of demonstrated need met
* No loans required for families earning under certain thresholds
* No loans required for families earning under certain thresholds
Line 159: Line 161:
=== Tuition and Costs ===
=== Tuition and Costs ===


For the 2024-2025 academic year, costs are:<ref name="upenn-facts"/>
For 2024-2025, here's what attending costs:<ref name="upenn-facts"/>


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
Line 175: Line 177:
|}
|}


While sticker price exceeds $90,000 annually, Penn's generous financial aid program significantly reduces costs for many families. The average financial aid package for students receiving aid exceeds $60,000 per year.
Yes, the sticker price is over $90,000 annually. But Penn's financial aid program brings it down considerably for many families. The average aid package for students receiving aid exceeds $60,000 per year.


== Campus ==
== Campus ==
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=== Campus Location ===
=== Campus Location ===


The University of Pennsylvania's main campus is located in '''[[University City]]''', a neighborhood in '''West Philadelphia''', approximately two miles west of [[Center City, Philadelphia|Center City]]. The campus spans 299 acres and includes 222 buildings.
The main campus sits in '''[[University City]]''', a West Philadelphia neighborhood about two miles west of [[Center City, Philadelphia|Center City]]. The campus covers 299 acres with 222 buildings.


'''Campus Address:'''
'''Campus Address:'''
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* North: Market Street
* North: Market Street


The campus is adjacent to Drexel University and near the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), and other Penn Medicine facilities.
Drexel University's right next door. The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), and other Penn Medicine facilities are nearby.


=== Campus Landmarks ===
=== Campus Landmarks ===
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'''Historic Buildings'''
'''Historic Buildings'''
* '''College Hall''' - The university's oldest building on the current campus (1872)
* '''College Hall''' - The university's oldest building on the current campus (1872)
* '''Fisher Fine Arts Library''' - Frank Furness masterpiece (1891), a National Historic Landmark
* '''Fisher Fine Arts Library''' - Frank Furness designed this masterpiece (1891), now a National Historic Landmark
* '''Houston Hall''' - America's first student union (1896)
* '''Houston Hall''' - America's first student union (1896)


'''Academic Buildings'''
'''Academic Buildings'''
* '''Jon M. Huntsman Hall''' - Wharton School's flagship building
* '''Jon M. Huntsman Hall''' - Wharton School's main building
* '''Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine''' - Penn Medicine research facility
* '''Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine''' - Penn Medicine research facility
* '''Singh Center for Nanotechnology'''
* '''Singh Center for Nanotechnology'''


'''Athletics'''
'''Athletics'''
* '''Franklin Field''' - Historic stadium, former home of the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] (1958-1970)
* '''Franklin Field''' - Historic stadium that housed the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] from 1958-1970
* '''The Palestra''' - "Cathedral of College Basketball," opened 1927
* '''The Palestra''' - Known as the "Cathedral of College Basketball," it opened in 1927
* '''Penn Park''' - 24-acre athletic complex
* '''Penn Park''' - 24-acre athletic complex


== Notable Alumni ==
== Notable Alumni ==


Penn has produced numerous leaders across fields:
Penn has produced leaders across many fields.


'''Business'''
'''Business'''
Line 229: Line 231:


'''Politics'''
'''Politics'''
* William Henry Harrison (9th U.S. President, attended)
* [https://biography.wiki/w/William_Henry_Harrison William Henry Harrison] (9th U.S. President, attended)
* Arlen Specter (Senator)
* Arlen Specter (Senator)
* Andrea Mitchell (journalist)
* [https://biography.wiki/a/Andrea_Mitchell Andrea Mitchell] (journalist)


'''Entertainment'''
'''Entertainment'''
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{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=University of Pennsylvania - Ivy League University in Philadelphia
|title=University of Pennsylvania - Ivy League University in Philadelphia
|description=Complete guide to the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). Admissions, acceptance rate, tuition, Wharton School, campus information, and the history of Benjamin Franklin's university.
|description=Complete guide to the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). Admissions, acceptance rate, tuition, Wharton School, campus information, and the history of [https://biography.wiki/a/Benjamin_Franklin Benjamin Franklin]'s university.
|keywords=University of Pennsylvania, UPenn Philadelphia, Penn Ivy League, Wharton School of Business, Benjamin Franklin founded university, UPenn acceptance rate, West Philadelphia university, UPenn rankings
|keywords=University of Pennsylvania, UPenn Philadelphia, Penn Ivy League, Wharton School of Business, Benjamin Franklin founded university, UPenn acceptance rate, West Philadelphia university, UPenn rankings
|type=Article
|type=Article

Latest revision as of 01:35, 24 April 2026

University of Pennsylvania
TypePrivate research university
Address3451 Walnut Street
MapView on Google Maps
NeighborhoodUniversity City
Phone(215) 898-5000
WebsiteOfficial site
Established1740
FounderBenjamin Franklin
OwnerBoard of Trustees
Employees55,000+ (including health system)
ProductsHigher education
StatusActive
University of Pennsylvania(215) 898-50003451 Walnut StreetPhiladelphiaPAUS

The University of Pennsylvania (usually called Penn or UPenn) is a private Ivy League research university in Philadelphia. Founded in 1740 and organized by Benjamin Franklin in 1749, it's the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution. The main campus sits in University City, West Philadelphia, spanning 299 acres with over 220 buildings that house 12 schools and numerous research centers.[1]

Penn is home to the Wharton School, the nation's first business school and consistently ranked among the world's best. It also established the first medical school in the American colonies (1765), the first university teaching hospital (1874), and was the first American institution to be designated a "university" (1779). With an endowment of $22.35 billion and a research budget exceeding $1.45 billion, Penn ranks among the wealthiest and most research-intensive universities globally. Over 55,000 people work there, including its health system staff, making it one of Philadelphia's largest employers.[2]

History

Founder

Benjamin Franklin, the renowned Founding Father, inventor, and civic leader, founded the University of Pennsylvania. In 1749, Franklin distributed a pamphlet called "Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pensilvania," laying out his vision for a "Public Academy of Philadelphia" that'd prepare young people for careers in business, government, and public service.

His educational philosophy was genuinely ahead of its time. Most colonial colleges trained students for Christian ministry, but Franklin wanted something different. He proposed a practical curriculum mixing classical education with science, mathematics, history, logic, and philosophy. This forward-thinking approach became the foundation for the modern liberal arts curriculum.[3]

Franklin brought together 24 trustees from Philadelphia's leading citizens. This was America's first non-sectarian board of trustees. He served as president of the Academy from 1749 to 1755 and stayed on the Board of Trustees until his death in 1790.

Founding Date

Penn officially uses 1740 as its founding date, though the story's more complicated than that. In that year, a group of Philadelphians began construction on a large preaching hall for George Whitefield, a traveling Anglican evangelist. It was the biggest building in Philadelphia at the time, but the project ran out of money and stalled.

When Franklin set up his academy in 1749, the trustees bought this incomplete building on Fourth Street. Franklin's institution inherited and finished the 1740 structure, so the university claims 1740 as its founding year. Other important dates in Penn's early history are:

  • 1749 - Franklin convenes the first Board of Trustees
  • 1751 - First classes taught
  • 1755 - Collegiate charter granted
  • 1757 - First graduating class
  • 1765 - First medical school in the American colonies established
  • 1779 - First American institution designated a "university"

Historical Firsts

Penn's been first at a lot of things:

  • First collegiate business school in the world (Wharton, 1881)
  • First university teaching hospital in the United States (1874)
  • First student union (Houston Hall, 1896)
  • First Catholic student organization at a secular university (Newman Club, 1893)
  • First general-purpose electronic computer (ENIAC, 1946)

Academics

Ivy League Membership

The University of Pennsylvania belongs to the Ivy League, eight private universities in the Northeastern United States known for academic excellence and selective admissions. The eight schools are:

  • Brown University
  • Columbia University
  • Cornell University
  • Dartmouth College
  • Harvard University
  • Princeton University
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Yale University

Technically, the Ivy League is an NCAA Division I athletic conference. But the name means far more than that. It's become shorthand for academic excellence, tough admissions, and social prestige. Penn competes in all Ivy League sports and has won numerous conference championships.

Notable Schools and Programs

Multiple disciplines here are exceptional.

Wharton School of Business

Founded in 1881, Wharton is the world's first collegiate business school and consistently ranks among the top business schools globally. In Fall 2024, it had 1,841 undergraduates and 2,486 graduate students. Notable alumni include Warren Buffett, Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and Sundar Pichai.

Perelman School of Medicine

Penn's medical school opened in 1765, making it the oldest in North America. It partners with Penn Medicine, one of the nation's leading academic medical centers.

Other Notable Schools

  • School of Engineering and Applied Science
  • School of Arts and Sciences
  • Law School
  • School of Design
  • School of Nursing
  • Graduate School of Education
  • Annenberg School for Communication
  • School of Social Policy and Practice
  • School of Veterinary Medicine

Penn runs 214 research centers and institutes with a total research budget of $1.45 billion.

Rankings

Penn consistently places among the top universities in the United States and worldwide:

  • U.S. News & World Report: Top 10 national universities
  • QS World University Rankings: Top 15 globally
  • Times Higher Education: Top 15 globally
  • Forbes: Top 10 American universities
  • Wharton School: Regularly ranked first or second among business schools

Individual programs, especially in business, medicine, nursing, and law, consistently get top rankings in their fields.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate

For the Class of 2029, Penn's acceptance rate was about 5%, making it one of the most selective universities in the country. The school received over 65,000 applications for roughly 3,500 spots in the incoming class.[4]

Admission Cycle Acceptance Rate
Class of 2029 ~5%
Class of 2028 5.4%
Class of 2027 4.1%
Class of 2026 4.47%

About 51% of the class gets admitted through Early Decision, which typically has a higher acceptance rate (around 13-15%) than Regular Decision (about 3-4%).

Test Scores

Successful applicants typically score in the highest percentiles:

  • Middle 50% SAT (Evidence-Based Reading/Writing): 740-770
  • Middle 50% SAT (Math): 770-800
  • Middle 50% ACT: 34-36

During COVID-19, Penn went test-optional but has since brought back testing requirements. To be competitive, students should aim for the 1510-1570 SAT range.

GPA Requirements

Admitted students average around 3.9 on a 4.0 scale. Nearly 92% ranked in the top 10% of their high school class.

Penn looks at the whole applicant: academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, essays, recommendations, and demonstrated interest. Grades and test scores matter, but they're not the whole story.

Financial Aid

Penn doesn't give merit scholarships. All financial aid is need-based, determined solely by demonstrated financial need.

But here's the thing: Penn meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. Families earning below $75,000 typically get full tuition, room, and board covered with grants (no loans). Roughly 46% of undergraduates receive need-based financial aid.

Penn's financial aid includes:

  • 100% of demonstrated need met
  • No loans required for families earning under certain thresholds
  • Aid available to international students
  • Consistent aid throughout four years

Costs

Tuition and Costs

For 2024-2025, here's what attending costs:[1]

Cost Category Amount (2024-25)
Tuition and fees $68,686
Room and board $19,174
Books and supplies ~$1,300
Personal expenses ~$1,900
Total Estimated Cost ~$91,000

Yes, the sticker price is over $90,000 annually. But Penn's financial aid program brings it down considerably for many families. The average aid package for students receiving aid exceeds $60,000 per year.

Campus

Campus Location

The main campus sits in University City, a West Philadelphia neighborhood about two miles west of Center City. The campus covers 299 acres with 222 buildings.

Campus Address: 3451 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104

Getting to Campus:

  • SEPTA Market-Frankford Line (The L): 34th Street Station (on campus)
  • SEPTA Regional Rail: 30th Street Station (short walk or LUCY shuttle)
  • SEPTA Bus: Multiple routes serve campus
  • Amtrak: 30th Street Station (Philadelphia's main train station)

Campus Boundaries:

  • West: 40th Street
  • East: 32nd Street
  • South: Baltimore Avenue
  • North: Market Street

Drexel University's right next door. The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), and other Penn Medicine facilities are nearby.

Campus Landmarks

Historic Buildings

  • College Hall - The university's oldest building on the current campus (1872)
  • Fisher Fine Arts Library - Frank Furness designed this masterpiece (1891), now a National Historic Landmark
  • Houston Hall - America's first student union (1896)

Academic Buildings

  • Jon M. Huntsman Hall - Wharton School's main building
  • Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine - Penn Medicine research facility
  • Singh Center for Nanotechnology

Athletics

  • Franklin Field - Historic stadium that housed the Philadelphia Eagles from 1958-1970
  • The Palestra - Known as the "Cathedral of College Basketball," it opened in 1927
  • Penn Park - 24-acre athletic complex

Notable Alumni

Penn has produced leaders across many fields.

Business

  • Warren Buffett (Wharton undergraduate)
  • Elon Musk (Wharton/Penn dual degree)
  • Donald Trump (Wharton '68)
  • Sundar Pichai (Wharton MBA)

Politics

Entertainment

  • Elizabeth Banks (actress)
  • John Legend (musician)
  • Candice Bergen (actress)

Science and Medicine

  • Numerous Nobel laureates
  • Pioneers in medicine, computer science, and engineering

See Also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Facts". University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved December 22, 2025
  2. ↑ "Penn's History". University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved December 22, 2025
  3. ↑ "About Our Founder". University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved December 22, 2025
  4. ↑ "Incoming Class Profile". Penn Admissions. Retrieved December 22, 2025

External Links

Retrieved from "https://philadelphia.wiki/index.php?title=University_of_Pennsylvania&oldid=5889"