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Colleges › Pennsylvania › University of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania acceptance rate, GPA needed and real cost

Also known as Penn, UPenn

University of Pennsylvania accepts 5% of applicants. It is a private university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with about 10,650 undergraduates. The sticker price is $91,112 a year, but after aid the average family pays $29,577.

5%Acceptance rate
1510–1570Middle 50% SAT
34–36Middle 50% ACT
$29,577Average cost after aid / year
97%Graduation rate
$99,772Typical early-career earnings

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.

What GPA do you need for Penn?

Even with a 4.0 unweighted GPA, Admitly estimates a typical applicant has about a 6% chance, so a top GPA is expected and the rest of the application decides most outcomes.

The U.S. Department of Education does not collect high school GPAs, so Admitly does not publish an "average GPA" figure. Colleges that report one do so in their own Common Data Set.

Chances of getting into University of Pennsylvania by GPA

Assumes an SAT of 1525, the middle score for admitted students (tests are optional here). A higher or lower score moves these numbers. GPA is unweighted, on a 4.0 scale.

GPAEstimated chance
3.01% Reach
3.31% Reach
3.51% Reach
3.72% Reach
3.94% Reach
4.06% Reach

Likely = 80% or higher, Target = 30–80%, Reach = under 30%. Course rigour, class rank, activities and AP scores all change the estimate.

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What families actually pay at University of Pennsylvania

Yearly cost after need-based grants, by household income. Sticker price is $91,112 a year including room and board.

Family incomeCost per year
Under $50k$4,600
$50k – $100k$12,400
$100k – $150k$25,300
$150k – $250k$66,400
Over $250k$72,500

Outcomes

97%Finish their degree
99%Return for second year
$99,772Median earnings, early career

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.

Common questions about University of Pennsylvania

What is the acceptance rate at University of Pennsylvania?

University of Pennsylvania admits 5% of applicants, according to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.

What GPA do you need to get into University of Pennsylvania?

Even with a 4.0 unweighted GPA, Admitly estimates a typical applicant has about a 6% chance, so a top GPA is expected and the rest of the application decides most outcomes. This is an estimate from Admitly's admission model, not an official cutoff: course rigour, test scores, activities and essays all matter.

What SAT or ACT score do you need for University of Pennsylvania?

The middle 50% of admitted students scored 1510–1570 on the SAT and 34–36 on the ACT. Submitting scores is optional.

How much does University of Pennsylvania cost after financial aid?

The sticker price is $91,112 a year including room and board, but the average family pays $29,577 after grants. Families earning under $50k pay about $4,600.

What is the graduation rate at University of Pennsylvania?

97% of students finish their degree, and 99% return for a second year.

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