Penn vs Harvard - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
On paper the cheaper option is Harvard: $64,796 against $71,236, which is $6,440 less a year.
Ten years on, graduates of Penn earn noticeably more: $111K against $102K.
At 3.6% and 5.4%, both admissions processes remain a lottery for any candidate; the difference between them is not an argument here.
The SAT profile is practically identical (1553 against 1553), so a test score will not tip the balance either way.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.65% vs 5.4% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#14 vs #1). Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $102K). Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,796 vs $71,236 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 Penn for: higher graduate earnings, higher retention.
Choose Harvard for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Harvard is more selective (3.65% vs 5.4% acceptance).
Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $102K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 96.5%).
Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,796 vs $71,236); Harvard offers a larger average aid package ($74,387 vs $70,971).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Penn | Harvard |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #14 | #1 |
| Rank · THE | - | #3 |
| Acceptance rate | 5.4% | 3.65% |
| Yield rate | 68% | 83.6% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.90 | 4.21 |
| Number of applications | 65,236 | 54,008 |
| International students | 13.3% | 15.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $111K | $102K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $65K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $183K | $200K |
| Graduation rate | 96.5% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 98.8% | 98% |
| Median debt | $15,715 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $71,236 | $64,796 |
| Avg. aid package | $70,971 | $74,387 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,558 | $22,262 |
| Application fee | $75 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 24,023 | 21,189 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Penn or Harvard?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Penn accepts 5.4% of applicants, while Harvard accepts 3.65%.
Do Penn or Harvard graduates earn more?
Penn graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $111K vs $102K.
How much is tuition at Penn vs Harvard?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,236 per year at Penn and $64,796 per year at Harvard.
What SAT score do you need for Penn or Harvard?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Penn and 1553 at Harvard; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Penn or Harvard?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #14 for Penn vs #1 for Harvard.
Which university offers more financial aid - Penn or Harvard?
The average aid package is $70,971 at Penn and $74,387 at Harvard.
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