University of Pennsylvania SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements
At Penn, the testing bar is not optional background. With testing required and SAT submission far more common than ACT, aim for about a 1510+ SAT and pair it with a transcript near Penn’s 3.91 average GPA.
Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.
University of Pennsylvania facts and stats
University of Pennsylvania is located in an urban setting in Philadelphia and enrolls 10,013 undergraduates. Penn’s freshman retention rate is 99%, well above the national average of roughly 70%. Its 6-year graduation rate is 97%, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 8:1. Penn is test-required for admissions.
Philadelphia, PA
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Key University of Pennsylvania application dates
Key dates
Regular Decision
January 5
Early Action
Not offered
Early Decision
November 1
Priority Deadline
—
Financial Aid Priority
February 1
Test dates
August 22, 2026
Registration deadline: August 7, 2026
September 12, 2026
Registration deadline: August 28, 2026
October 3, 2026
Registration deadline: September 18, 2026
September 19, 2026
Registration deadline: August 14, 2026
October 17, 2026
Registration deadline: September 11, 2026
December 12, 2026
Registration deadline: November 6, 2026
Because Penn is test-required, aim to take your first SAT or ACT by the spring of junior year, then use the summer before senior year and fall for superscore-focused retakes. If you’re applying Early Decision by November 1, plan for October to be your last retake so scores can arrive in time.
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What you'll actually pay
Penn’s listed cost of attendance is about $87,860 for tuition, fees, room, and board. Financial aid can significantly change that price: 49% of students receive aid, with an average aid package of $70,971. For context, graduates leave with an average debt of $32,558.
Student life at University of Pennsylvania
52% of undergrads live on campus
Fraternities and sororities are active on campus. 19% of men join fraternities, and 17% of women join sororities.
Similar schools
Bryn Athyn College of the New Church
Bryn Athyn, PAAcceptance rate: 82.9%
Albright College
Reading, PAAcceptance rate: 76.3%
Allegheny College
Meadville, PAAcceptance rate: 54.5%
SAT: 1165–1355
ACT: 24–30
DeSales University
Center Valley, PAAcceptance rate: 77.1%
SAT: 1100–1240
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