Penn vs Stanford — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Stanford is the more selective of the two (3.6% vs 5.4% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#14 vs #2). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $111K). Stanford has lower sticker-price tuition ($65,910 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 Penn for: a higher graduation rate, higher retention.
Choose Stanford 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
Stanford is more selective (3.6% vs 5.4% acceptance).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $111K); Penn has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.5% vs 91.9%).
Stanford has lower sticker-price tuition ($65,910 vs $68,686); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($75,816 vs $70,971).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Penn | Stanford |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #14 | #2 |
| Rank · THE | — | #6 |
| Acceptance rate | 5.4% | 3.6% |
| Yield rate | 68% | 79.9% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.90 | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 65,236 | 60,646 |
| International students | 24% | 23% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $111K | $124K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $132K | $141K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $183K | $220K |
| Graduation rate | 96.5% | 91.9% |
| Retention rate | 98.8% | 97% |
| Median debt | $15,715 | $12,000 |
| Tuition · year | $68,686 | $65,910 |
| Avg. aid package | $70,971 | $75,816 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,558 | $28,507 |
| Application fee | $75 | $100 |
| Enrollment | 24,023 | 18,121 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Penn or Stanford?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Penn accepts 5.4% of applicants, while Stanford accepts 3.6%.
Do Penn or Stanford graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $111K.
How much is tuition at Penn vs Stanford?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,686 per year at Penn and $65,910 per year at Stanford.
What SAT score do you need for Penn or Stanford?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Penn and 1553 at Stanford; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Penn or Stanford?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #14 for Penn vs #2 for Stanford.
Which university offers more financial aid — Penn or Stanford?
The average aid package is $70,971 at Penn and $75,816 at Stanford.
Harvard
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern
North carolina
Duke