University of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania is an Ivy League university established in 1740. The university is currently home to 28,000+ students, including 13% international student population. UPenn has a low acceptance rate of 6%, showcasing a selective admission process. International students aiming to get admission at the University of Pennsylvania need to have the following GPA:

  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 (85%) in high school for UG
  • Minimum GPA of 3.9 (98%) for PG.
  • There are no minimum GPA requirements for UPenn MBA admissions. However, the average GPA of recently admitted students is 3.6 (91%).

University of Pennsylvania ranks #1st for sustainability among the Ivy League institutes and #11th globally in the QS Ranking 2025. UPenn excels in graduate education with 22 courses ranked among the top 5 nationally across its schools, according to the U.S. News’ Graduate School Rankings.

Established

1740

University Type

Private Research University

University Motto

“Laws without morals are useless”

Acceptance Rate

6%

Faculty to Student Ratio

8:1

Endowment

$21.0 billion (2023)

Campus Size

299 acres

6-Year Graduation Rate for UG

97%

Employment Rate

78%

Contact Details

215-898-5000

Location

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

University of Pennsylvania Rankings

According to the 2025 University of Pennsylvania QS ranking, the university stands at #11 and #71st for sustainability ranking by US News. 5 courses offered by UPenn graduate school occupy #1st rank nationally by U.S News. 4 of them are offered by Wharton Business School. Some of the notable University of Pennsylvania rankings are tabulated below.

Ranking Agency

Ranking 2025

QS World University Rankings (2025)

#11

U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities (2024)

#15

THE World University Rankings (2024)

#16

University of Pennsylvania Admissions

Getting into UPenn is tough—it only accepts 4% of applicants. To boost your chances, aim for a GPA of 3.9/4 or higher. You’ll also need strong scores on tests like the SAT or ACT. Indian students should focus on high grades, good test scores, essays, recommendations, and possibly an interview to meet UPenn’s admission standards.

University of Pennsylvania Top Graduate Courses and Fees

UPenn excels in graduate education with 22 courses ranked among the top 5 nationally across its schools, according to the U.S. News’ Graduate School Rankings. Additionally, another 13 graduate programs at UPenn are recognized in the top 10, solidifying its standing as a leader in higher education and research. Following are the top graduate programs at UPenn:
Programs Total Annual Fees (USD) Total Annual Fees (INR)
Doctor of Medicine [M.D] 68,512 57.20 Lakh
Master of Science in Nursing 36,764 30.69 Lakh
Master of Science Engineering – Data Science 35,410 29.56 Lakh
MBA 84,830 70.83 Lakh
Master of Public Health 36,000 30.06 Lakh
Master, Biotechnology 35,410 29.56 Lakh
Master of Science Robotics 35,410 29.56 Lakh

University of Pennsylvania Top Undergraduate Courses and Fees

For its undergraduate students, UPenn offers 99 majors to choose from, catering to the diverse interests of its 1,758 undergraduates. Meanwhile, over 16,000 graduate and professional students at UPenn pursue more than 300 degree and certificate programs, reflecting the university’s commitment to advanced education across various disciplines. Following are the top undergraduate programs at UPenn:
Programs Total Annual Fees Total Annual Fees
Bachelor of Science Computational Biology 60,920 50.86 Lakh
Bachelor of Arts Architecture 60,920 50.86 Lakh
Bachelor of Science Computer Science 60,920 50.86 Lakh
Bachelor of Arts Digital Media Design 60,920 50.86 Lakh
Bachelor of Science Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 60,920 50.86 Lakh

University of Pennsylvania Admissions for UG

International students aiming to get a masters degree from University of Pennsylvania will have to fulfill the following admission requirements:
Category Requirement
Application Fee 75 USD (6,228 INR)
Academic Requirement Minimum GPA of 3.0/4 (85%)
English proficiency test scores TOEFL iBT– 100 | IELTS– 7.0
Standardized Exam Scores SAT score of 1510-1560 | ACT score of 34-35
Additional Requirement 2 Letters of recommendation | Essay | Interview or portfolio (By invitation) | Financial statement

University of Pennsylvania Admissions for PG

International students aiming to get a undergraduate degree from University of Pennsylvania will have to fulfill the following admission requirements:
Category Requirement
Application Fee PG: 90 USD (7,474 INR) | MBA: 275 USD (22,839 INR)
GPA Requirement Recommended- GPA score of 3.9/4 (94%)
English proficiency test scores TOEFL iBT- 100 | IELTS- 7.0
Standardized Exam Scores Average GMAT- 738 | Average GRE- 324
Additional Requirement 2 Essays + 1 optional essay | 2 LORs | Interview (By Invite) | Resume | Work experience-Average 5 years (for MBA students)

University of Pennsylvania Campus

University of Pennsylvania campuses are spread across 3 locations – University city campus; New Bolton Center; Morris Arboretum. UPenn’s main 299-acre campus is situated in the vibrant West Philadelphia neighborhood of University City, adjacent to Center City Philadelphia across the Schuylkill River. Additionally, UPenn operates the 23-acre Pennovation Works campus in Grays Ferry, along with locations in San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Beijing.

  • UPenn boasts a rich history reflected in its architecture, with buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries alongside modern structures designed by renowned architects.
  • The campus includes numerous cultural venues such as the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, museums, galleries, and recreational facilities like the Pottruck Health and Fitness Center.

University of Pennsylvania Accommodation

The University of Pennsylvania’s residential system consists of 12 undergraduate College Houses and Sansom Place, accommodating approximately 5,500 undergraduates on campus. Each College House offers unique room types, amenities, and communities, catering to diverse student preferences and fostering a personalized living experience. This setup allows students to choose accommodations that best suit their needs and interests, enhancing their overall campus life and community engagement.

  • All first-year student rooms have the same rate, which is $12,640.
  • The upperclass rooms have two room rates, $12,640 or $16,580, which vary depending on room type selected.

University of Pennsylvania Scholarships

Like other Ivy League schools, Penn undergraduate aid is entirely need-based. The University does not award scholarships based on academic or athletic merit. On the other hand each of Penn’s 12 graduate and professional schools administers their own financial aid program. University of Pennsylvania offers 56,000 USD on average as scholarships. Following are some of the scholarships offered to international students, who got admission at UPenn:
Scholarship Program Eligibility Benefits
Dean’s Scholarship For master’s students 10,000 USD
The Foreign Fulbright Student Program For all master’s students receiving Fulbright Fellowship offers 15,000 USD
Federal Pell Grant Need-base for undergraduates Tuition Fee waivers up to 8 semesters
Named Scholarships Based on Alumni’s region and residence Varies
International Student Financial Aid International students need to apply for the scholarship while taking admission 100% of needs will be fulfilled through grants and work-study programs

University of Pennsylvania Placements

According to UPenns’s placement reports, around 78% of UG graduates and 80% of PG graduates secure placements after graduating from University of Pennsylvania.

  • 80% of graduates get job offers after graduation. Median salary for the graduates tends to be around 100,000 USD (83.47 lakh INR).
  • Some of the top recruiters at university are Accenture, BCG, Bain & Co., Deloitte, McKinsey & Co., EY Parthenon, PWC, and Tesla. Most of the students got job placements during on-campus interviews.

UPenn School

Employment Rate

Graduate School of Education

76.1%

College of Liberal and Professional Studies, School of Arts and Sciences Master’s

76.8%

School of Social Policy & Practice

73.5%

School of Engineering and Applied Science Master’s

78.8%

Weitzman School of Design

80.9%

School of Nursing (MSN, DNP, PhD)

76.1%

University of Pennsylvania Alumni

The University of Pennsylvania has 28 Penn alumni and students represented on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list. The UPenn Association is a global community of around 300,000 alumni that is dedicated to supporting the University and its graduates. Following are some of the notable alumni at University of Pennsylvania:

Alumni Name

Achievement

Donald Trump

45th President of the United States, CEO of The Trump Organization

Anil Ambani

Chairman of Reliance Group, one of the largest conglomerates in India

Elon Musk

CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, Neuralink, The Boring Company

Elizabeth Banks

Starred in “The Hunger Games” and “Pitch Perfect” franchises, directed “Charlie’s Angels” (2019)

Warren Buffet

Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, one of the most successful investment firms in the world

Jennifer Egan

Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “A Visit from the Goon Squad” and “Manhattan Beach”

Location of University of Pennsylvania

Frequently Asked Questions Section

Frequently asked questions

Is UPenn an Ivy League?

Yes, UPenn is an Ivy League university. The Ivy League includes the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, Harvard University, Dartmouth College, Yale University, Cornell University, Brown University, and Princeton University.

Is it difficult to get into the University of Pennsylvania?

For the class of 2027, UPenn received a total of over 59,000 applications and accepted only 2,400 candidates. With an acceptance rate of 6%, the university showcases a highly selective admission process. Students fulfilling the admission requirements for the program they want to apply for, have higher chances of getting admission at UPenn.

How do I get into the University of Pennsylvania from India?

Students seeking admission at UPenn from India must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (85%) in high school for UG and a GPA of 3.9 (98%) for PG. There are no minimum GPA requirements for UPenn MBA admissions. However, the average GPA of recently admitted students is 3.6 (91%).

How much does a UPenn MBA graduate earn?

The average salary of MBA graduates from University of Pennsylvania is 175,000 USD (1.45 crores INR) per annum.

What is University of Pennsylvania famous for?

UPenn is highly recognized for its schools like Wharton School, School of Education, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Law School and School of Medicine. Some other graduate schools are School of Design and School of Dental Medicine.

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