Penn vs Houston - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Houston accepts most of the applications it receives (73.9%), while Penn turns away the overwhelming majority (5.4%).
The larger international cohort belongs to Penn: 13.3% of students against 5.7% (Houston).
Average aid for an international student is $75,356 (Penn) and $4,456 (Houston).
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Penn lists $92,524 against $45,970 (Houston), but after average aid what remains is $21,553 against $29,520.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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
Penn is the more selective of the two (5.4% vs 73.92% acceptance). Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#14 vs #201-300). Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $62K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 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: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Houston for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Penn is more selective (5.4% vs 73.92% acceptance); Penn has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1240).
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 ($27,926 vs $71,236); Penn offers a larger average aid package ($70,971 vs $16,450).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Penn | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #14 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 5.4% | 73.92% |
| Yield rate | 68% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1240 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.90 | 3.49 |
| Number of applications | 65,236 | 31,716 |
| International students | 13.3% | 5.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $111K | $62K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $183K | $93K |
| Graduation rate | 96.5% | 64.6% |
| Retention rate | 98.8% | 87% |
| Median debt | $15,715 | $18,194 |
| Tuition · year | $71,236 | $27,926 |
| Avg. aid package | $70,971 | $16,450 |
| % of need met | 100% | 55.1% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,558 | $21,819 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 24,023 | 47,980 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Penn or Houston?
It's harder to get into Penn. Penn accepts 5.4% of applicants, while Houston accepts 73.92%.
Do Penn or Houston graduates earn more?
Penn graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $111K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Penn vs Houston?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,236 per year at Penn and $27,926 per year at Houston.
What SAT score do you need for Penn or Houston?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Penn and 1240 at Houston; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Penn or Houston?
Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #14 for Penn vs #201-300 for Houston.
Which university offers more financial aid - Penn or Houston?
The average aid package is $70,971 at Penn and $16,450 at Houston.
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