Houston vs Penn — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Penn is the more selective of the two (5.4% vs 73.9% acceptance). Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #14). Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $62K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,547 vs $68,686 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical — the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Houston for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Penn for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Penn is more selective (5.4% vs 73.9% acceptance); Penn has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1250).
Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $62K); Penn has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.5% vs 64.6%).
Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,547 vs $68,686); Penn offers a larger average aid package ($70,971 vs $16,450).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Houston | Penn |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #14 |
| Rank · THE | — | — |
| Acceptance rate | 73.9% | 5.4% |
| Yield rate | 26.5% | 68% |
| Median SAT | 1250 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.50 | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 31,716 | 65,236 |
| International students | 16% | 24% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $111K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $61K | $132K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $183K |
| Graduation rate | 64.6% | 96.5% |
| Retention rate | 87% | 98.8% |
| Median debt | $18,194 | $15,715 |
| Tuition · year | $22,547 | $68,686 |
| Avg. aid package | $16,450 | $70,971 |
| % of need met | 55.1% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,819 | $32,558 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 47,980 | 24,023 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Houston or Penn?
It's harder to get into Penn. Houston accepts 73.9% of applicants, while Penn accepts 5.4%.
Do Houston or Penn graduates earn more?
Penn graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $111K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Houston vs Penn?
Sticker-price tuition is $22,547 per year at Houston and $68,686 per year at Penn.
What SAT score do you need for Houston or Penn?
The median admitted SAT score is 1250 at Houston and 1553 at Penn; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Houston or Penn?
Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Houston vs #14 for Penn.
Which university offers more financial aid — Houston or Penn?
The average aid package is $16,450 at Houston and $70,971 at Penn.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern
North carolina