As America's first university, UPenn has a history that dates back to 1740. The University of Pennsylvania is a part of the prestigious Ivy League institutions which are consistently ranked among the top 15 global universities by reputable ranking bodies. The UPenn courses consist of 100 majors for UG and various for PG students to choose from.
When it comes to the University of Pennsylvania rankings, the university ranked #15 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Moreover the university ranked #7 in National Universities, #13 in Best Value Schools and #1 in Business Programs. Moreover it was ranked #15 in QS World University Rankings 2026 and #14 in the World University Rankings 2025 by THE.
University of Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate 2025
The University of Pennsylvania has received 11.2% more applications than compared to last year, whereas the no. of students admitted has remained more or less the same. As a result the acceptance rate of the university has decreased by 9.3% for the Class of 2026.
The University of Pennsylvania acceptance rate stands at a low of 4.9% for the 2025-26 admission cycle, making UPenn admissions for Fall 2025 the most selective in the university's history yet. The data for the Class of 2028 and Class of 2029 are given below for a comparative analysis-
|
Particulars
|
Class of 2028
|
Class of 2029
|
|---|
|
Student Applications Received
|
65,236
|
72,544
|
|
Students Admitted
|
3,523
|
3,530
|
|
Acceptance Rate
|
5.40%
|
4.9%
|
|
Students Enrolled
|
2,395
|
2,420
|
|
Yield Rate
|
68%
|
68.6%
|
The Perelman School of Medicine usually announces a single-digit acceptance rate each year, and for the Class of 2029, it has enrolled 153 students. For Fall 2024, it received 6,288 applications from prospective students for a total of 150 seats. The rough estimates of the Pennsylvania University acceptance rate for some of the schools of the university are-
| List of UPenn Schools and Colleges |
Admit Rate |
|---|
| Perelman School of Medicine |
5% |
| The Wharton School |
20.5% (Full-Time MBA) |
| Penn Carey Law |
9.95% |
| School of Engineering and Applied Science |
18.6% (Master's & Doctoral) |
| Stuart Weitzman School of Design |
5% (PhD) |
| Graduate School of Education |
39.1% |
| School of Veterinary Medicine |
7% |
(Sources: Official university website, Princeton Review, and U.S. News)
University of Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate for International Students
The student body of the Class of 2029 hails from 49 U.S. states and represents 95 different nationalities. For Fall 2024, UPenn campus received applications from more than 15,700 international prospective students, of which the university admitted just 440 students to its Philadelphia campus. This means that the UPenn acceptance rate for international students is just 2.7%, half of the general admission rate, making the entry process for foreign students even more selective.
|
Particulars
|
Headcount
|
|---|
|
International Student Applications
|
15,727
|
|
International Students Admitted
|
439
|
|
International Students Enrolled
|
314
|
|
Acceptance Rate
|
2.79%
|
The international undergraduate students housed at the University of Pennsylvania represent more than 100 countries. For Fall 2024, the total number of nonresident UG enrollments at the university crossed 1,300. The racial makeup of the students enrolled at UPenn is given below:
|
Ethnic/Racial Group
|
Headcount
|
|---|
|
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic
|
2
|
|
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic
|
15
|
|
Two or more races, non-Hispanic
|
537
|
|
Race and/or ethnicity unknown
|
546
|
|
Black or African American, non-Hispanic
|
876
|
|
Hispanic Latino
|
1,163
|
|
Nonresidents
|
1,327
|
|
White, non-Hispanic
|
2,583
|
|
Asian, non-Hispanic
|
2,964
|
|
Total
|
10,013
|
University of Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate Trends
The no. of applications received by the University of Penn has increased by 71.9% in the last six years, whereas the no. of students admitted by the university has decreased by 6.8%. As a result, the UPenn acceptance rate has decreased by -44.9% since 2020. This points towards increasing rigidity and competition for Indian aspirants looking forward to study here. Check the UPenn admission trends below-
|
Class of
|
Number of Applications Received
|
Number of Students Accepted
|
University of Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate
|
|---|
|
2029
|
72,544
|
3,530
|
4.9%
|
|
2028
|
65,236
|
3,508
|
5.4%
|
|
2027
|
59,465
|
3,489
|
5.8%
|
|
2026
|
54,588
|
3,549
|
6.3%
|
|
2025
|
56,332
|
3,304
|
5.8%
|
|
2024
|
42,205
|
3,789
|
8.9%
|
As of Fall 2024, UPenn houses more than 24,000 students, of which 10,000 account for UG degree-seeking students, while 14,000 account for graduate degree-seeking students. The enrollment trends of the university over the years are given below:
| Intake |
Undergraduates |
Graduates |
Total UPenn Enrollment |
|---|
| Fall 2024 |
10,013 |
14,010 |
24,023 |
| Fall 2023 |
9,995 |
13,795 |
23,790 |
| Fall 2022 |
9,760 |
13,614 |
23,374 |
| Fall 2021 |
9,962 |
13,469 |
23,431 |
| Fall 2020 |
9,872 |
12,564 |
22,436 |
University of Pennsylvania Early Decision vs Regular Decision
Every year, the University of Pennsylvania admits international students through Early Decision as well as Regular Decision for its qulity education and UPenn job outcomes. Early decision also allows applicants to apply to a university earlier than regular decision. For the Class of 2029, the university received approximately 9,500 Early Decision applications and accepted almost 1,300 applicants, making the University of Pennsylvania early acceptance rate 13.6%. Given below are the estimated enrollment statistics for the Class of 2029:
| Decision Plan |
Student Applications |
Students Accepted |
UPenn Acceptance Rate 2025-26 |
|---|
| Early Decision |
9,500 |
1,292 |
13.6% |
| Regular Decision |
62,500 |
2,312 |
3.7% |
| Overall |
72,544 |
3,530 |
4.9% |
University of Pennsylvania Requirements for International Students
In order to secure enrollment, international students will have to pay the University of Pennsylvania Cost and must fulfill the UPenn University admission requirements listed below:
- Official academic transcripts;
- Mid-year and final mark sheets;
- Early Decision Agreement (if applying for Early Decision);
- Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT);
- GRE score;
- Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS: 6.5 | TOEFL: 80);
- Letters of recommendation (LORs);
- Resume/CV, and
- Completed online application, along with USD 90 (INR 7.7 K)
University of Pennsylvania Average GPA, SAT & ACT Scores
In order to secure enrollment in the University of Pennsylvania, students must appear for the standardized tests (SAT/ACT) and secure the minimum scores as listed below:
- SAT: 1510 - 1560
- ACT: 34-36
Tips to get selected at the University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is an extremely competitive university to get into, and thus, students must submit exceptional academic grades as well as excel in co-curricular activities. Applying early is one of the best practices, as the UPenn Early Decision acceptance rate is always much higher, and so are the chances of getting in. Submission of impressive SAT/ACT scores also boosts the chances of getting admission.
Other tips to get selected at UPenn include submission of a powerful and impactful personal statement/essay. UPenn seeks out students who want to grow and hone their skills in the university's liberal arts-based, applied, multidisciplinary learning environment. Applicants must also indulge in service to society, as the University of Pennsylvania admits students on the basis of a holistic approach.
University of Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate vs Harvard University Acceptance Rate
The Harvard University acceptance rate stands at merely 3%, which makes it an extremely competitive university to get into. In comparison, UPenn is just as selective with an acceptance rate of 4.9%. Know about Harvard University acceptance rate.
Harvard University admissions require students to be all-rounders as they accept students on the basis of their overall character and personality, and take a holistic approach. Candidates must be academically at the top of their class and participate in co-curricular activities as well.
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