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Philadelphia, PA · Private · Medium · Urban
3.8x the Regular Decision rate
Admitted students who enroll
Of enrolling students
How much the school says contact matters
Deadlines, fees, testing policy, and recommendation requirements come from the Common App 2026-2027 First-Year Deadlines, Fees and Requirements file published August 28, 2026. Schools can still change a date after publication, so confirm anything you are close to with the school.
Rated Very important in the 2024-2025 Common Data Set this school published.
Admitted students who enroll
Of enrolled students
Of enrolled students
Reported by the school to IPEDS for fall 2023 admission.
Tuition, housing, food, and fees
Sticker figures. What a family actually pays depends on income and aid, which is what the financial aid tools are for.
| Major | Degrees | Graduates here | Same major nationally |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Analytics | 261 | - | - |
| Economics | 238 | $152,236 | $82,686 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 200 | - | $86,176 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 183 | $114,013 | $88,910 |
| Philosophy | 180 | $69,038 | $54,455 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 177 | $298,016 | $92,374 |
| Biology, General | 171 | $78,245 | $57,214 |
| Political Science and Government | 112 | $111,976 |
Average net price paid by aided students in each family income band, after grants and scholarships. Usually far below the sticker price above.
Sources: this school's published Common Data Set, the Common App 2026-2027 member requirements file, and federal cost and outcomes data. See how our data works, or read the complete manual.
Add your GPA and test scores in Settings to see your estimated chances at University of Pennsylvania.
Plan to submit either the SAT or the ACT.
Common App personal statement (650 words) + 3 supplementals
For exact prompts, check the school's admissions page or the Common App once writing opens (Aug 1).
1 counselor + 1 teacher recommendation required
When recommended, treat as required. Sign up early - alumni interview slots fill fast.
This school does not consider interest. Don't burn time on it - focus on the application itself.
Per the school's own Common Data Set, applicant interest is rated considered.
$75
Fee waivers available if you qualify (Common App fee waiver, school waiver, or counselor request).
If a parent attended, mention it on the application. Some schools have ended this practice - verify with current admissions guidance.
Sticker price means almost nothing. University of Pennsylvania's Net Price Calculator estimates what you'll actually pay after merit and need-based aid. Takes 10 minutes; needs household income and assets, plus a few academic numbers.
Open University of Pennsylvania's Net Price CalculatorRead from University of Pennsylvania's own admissions page on 2026-08-30 for the 2026-2027 cycle (source). Schools can still revise a prompt after publishing, so confirm before you submit.
Two prompts for everyone plus one for the undergraduate school you are applying to. Each runs 150-200 words within a 50-200 range. Coordinated dual-degree and specialized programs add more.
Thank-you note
Required200 words“Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge.”
Start essay with this prompt →Community at Penn
Required200 words“How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective, and how your experiences and perspective will help shape Penn.”
Start essay with this prompt →College of Arts and Sciences
Required200 wordsCollege of Arts and Sciences applicants“The College of Arts and Sciences is designed to foster discovery and connection. Describe something you are curious about—something you'd like to learn more about or find a new approach to—and how you might pursue that curiosity in the College.”
Start essay with this prompt →The Wharton School
Required200 wordsWharton applicants“Wharton prepares its students to make an impact by applying business methods and economic theory to real-world problems, including economic, political, and social issues. Discuss a current issue of importance to you and how you hope a Wharton education would help you explore it.”
Start essay with this prompt →Engineering and Applied Science
Required200 wordsPenn Engineering applicants“Penn Engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics with depth of study in focused disciplinary majors. Describe how you plan to pursue your engineering interests at Penn, particularly within the intended major you selected.”
Start essay with this prompt →School of Nursing
Required200 wordsPenn Nursing applicants“Penn Nursing intends to meet the health needs of society in a global and multicultural world by preparing its students to impact healthcare by advancing science. Why are you applying to Nursing, where do you see yourself professionally in the future, and how will you contribute to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare?”
Start essay with this prompt →Last verified 2026-08-30 · Cycle 2026-2027 · For the current cycle, double-check the school's admissions writing page.
This school explicitly does not consider demonstrated interest in admissions decisions. Don't spend time visiting, opening every email, or following on social purely for admissions. Those things won't move the needle here.
Where to spend time instead: the application itself. Strong essays, tight activities list, recommendations from teachers who know you well.
Research University
Yes
Co-op / Internship
Limited
Est. Net Price (You)
$68,686
Based on "none" need
Sticker tuition
$68,686
Before aid
Total Estimated 4-Year Cost
$274,744
Out-of-state pricing with estimated aid
Greek Life
Yes
Study Abroad
20%
Religious Affiliation
None
Football Conference
Ivy
Debt-to-Income
18.3%
Average debt against 10-year earnings
Est. 10-Year ROI
$817,256
(10yr earnings x 10) - 4yr cost
Applying Early Decision would give you a 3.8x advantage (15% ED vs 4% RD).
This school gives legacy preference. If a parent or grandparent attended, highlight it.
Deadline (ED: November 1, 2026) / RD: January 5, 2027
114 days remaining (RD)
Application Platform: Common App
Supplemental Essays: 3
Interview: Recommended
Recommendation letters needed
Test scores required
Get candid student reviews, rankings, and additional data from these sources:
Data from US Department of Education College Scorecard, National Center for Education Statistics, and institutional disclosures.
| $63,293 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 103 | $94,630 | $62,451 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 93 | $116,666 | $68,257 |
| Computer Science | 83 | $171,166 | $107,009 |
| Cognitive Science | 80 | $109,527 | $81,496 |
Median earnings of this school's graduates in each major, roughly five years out, beside the national median for the same major.