At schools with acceptance rates below 10%, nearly every applicant has near-perfect grades and test scores. Admissions decisions are driven by essays, extracurriculars, recommendations, and institutional priorities — factors no stats-based model can predict. Our likelihood labels reflect academic competitiveness only.
The University of Pennsylvania is an Ivy League research university in Philadelphia, home to the Wharton School, the first collegiate business school in the United States. UPenn is known for its interdisciplinary approach, allowing students to take courses across its four undergraduate schools in business, engineering, nursing, and arts and sciences.
Mascot: Quaker
Notable Alumni
Elon Musk (CEO of Tesla and SpaceX)•John Legend (Grammy-winning singer)•Elizabeth Banks (actress and director)
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
Safety
Penn's Division of Public Safety patrols a 70+ block zone with officers and security guards providing 24/7 walking escorts. Despite robust security, assaults and robberies have been reported in the patrol zone in recent years.
University City is generally safe during the day, but West Philadelphia neighborhoods west of 43rd Street see higher crime rates. Students are advised to use the Penn patrol zone boundaries as a guide.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Location
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