More selective than 99% of Pennsylvania colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
51% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 19% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose University of Pennsylvania over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
University of Pennsylvania SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, University of Pennsylvania is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 740 | 770 |
| SAT math | 770 | 800 |
| ACT composite | 34 | 36 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1510 | 1570 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
University of Pennsylvania admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 5% | 740–770 | 770–800 | 34–36 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 6% | 730–770 | 770–800 | 34–35 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is University of Pennsylvania compared with other Pennsylvania colleges?
University of Pennsylvania has the 2nd-lowest acceptance rate of 111 Pennsylvania colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Curtis Institute of Music | 5% | 96% | — |
| 2 | University of Pennsylvania | 5% | 97% | $28,699 |
| 3 | Swarthmore College | 7% | 92% | $23,149 |
| 4 | Carnegie Mellon University | 12% | 94% | $31,944 |
| 5 | Haverford College | 12% | 90% | $25,314 |
| 6 | Lehigh University | 26% | 88% | $36,931 |
| 7 | Villanova University | 27% | 92% | $43,756 |
| 8 | Franklin and Marshall College | 28% | 84% | $36,425 |
| 9 | Bucknell University | 29% | 86% | $40,766 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Pennsylvania colleges →
Who enrolls at University of Pennsylvania
College Scorecard; IPEDS
University of Pennsylvania admissions questions
What is the University of Pennsylvania acceptance rate?
University of Pennsylvania accepts 5% of applicants, about 1 in 19. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 3,489 of 59,465 applicants were admitted.
Does University of Pennsylvania require the SAT or ACT?
University of Pennsylvania considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 51% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 19% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for University of Pennsylvania?
The middle 50% of University of Pennsylvania enrolled first-year students scored 1510–1570 on the SAT and 34–36 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at University of Pennsylvania?
69% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (2,416 of 3,489).
Is University of Pennsylvania getting harder to get into?
University of Pennsylvania accepted 5% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 6% for Fall 2023.
Is University of Pennsylvania the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to University of Pennsylvania overview