Temple University is a major public research university in Philadelphia known for its Fox School of Business, which ranks among the top 20 nationally in multiple specialties. Founded to provide accessible higher education to working-class students, Temple maintains a strong commitment to affordability and social mobility. The university's urban campus in North Philadelphia offers students direct access to one of America's largest cities and its professional networks.
Mascot: Owl
Notable Alumni
Bob Saget (actor, Full House)•Hall & Oates (best-selling music duo)•Tamron Hall (Emmy-winning TV host)
At a Glance
Cost
Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.
Top Programs & National Ranking
Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.
Highlights
Campus Experience
Temple's North Philadelphia location gives it gritty urban energy that's genuinely different from suburban state schools — the city is your social playground. Greek life is small (about 8%) and doesn't drive the culture; instead, social life revolves around student organizations, local bars, and Philly's music and food scenes. Temple rewards students who hustle.
An urban campus in North Philadelphia mixing older institutional buildings with modern glass additions along Broad Street. While recent investments like the Charles Library have added architectural highlights, the surrounding neighborhood and mixed building quality keep the overall impression modest.
Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.
Safety
Temple has invested heavily in campus safety with 72 police officers, security cameras, and emergency alerts, but armed robberies, assaults, and break-ins affecting students remain a persistent concern.
Temple is surrounded by some of North Philadelphia's most challenging neighborhoods, with documented incidents of armed robberies, muggings, and assaults on students. Extra caution is essential off campus.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Plan Your Visit
Schedule: Most weekdays year-round with two time slots per day
Duration: About 60 minutes (brief admissions presentation + 45-min outdoor walking tour + Q&A)
Tours led by Owl Ambassadors, rain or shine. Registration required. Open Houses with additional programming announced for fall. Welcome Center at 1101 W. Berks St.
Book a TourVirtual Main Campus Tour available online showing buildings, residence halls, dining, and recreation spaces. Campus is in an urban setting and open to walk through anytime.
Tour ResourcesSeptember through November and March through May when campus is packed with 35,000+ students and North Philadelphia buzzes with energy. Football Saturdays at Lincoln Financial Field are electric. Avoid mid-December through January when it's cold and campus thins out during break.
Montgomery Garage at 1859 N. 11th St ($6/hour, credit card only). Also Liacouras Garage on 15th St. SEPTA Broad Street Line subway stops at Cecil B. Moore station on campus. All SEPTA Regional Rail lines stop at Temple University station (10th & Berks). Buses #4 and #16 run on Broad St. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is 25 min by car or accessible via SEPTA.
Location
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