Temple vs Penn — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Penn is the more selective of the two (5.4% vs 80.4% acceptance). Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#401-500 vs #14). Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $64K). Temple has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,958 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 Temple for: lower tuition.
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 80.4% acceptance); Penn has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1250).
Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $64K); Penn has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.5% vs 75%).
Temple has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,958 vs $68,686); Penn offers a larger average aid package ($70,971 vs $17,833).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Temple | Penn |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #401-500 | #14 |
| Rank · THE | — | — |
| Acceptance rate | 80.4% | 5.4% |
| Yield rate | 15% | 68% |
| Median SAT | 1250 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.40 | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 40,817 | 65,236 |
| International students | 6% | 24% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $64K | $111K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $59K | $132K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $92K | $183K |
| Graduation rate | 75% | 96.5% |
| Retention rate | 83% | 98.8% |
| Median debt | $24,395 | $15,715 |
| Tuition · year | $38,958 | $68,686 |
| Avg. aid package | $17,833 | $70,971 |
| % of need met | 60.5% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $41,808 | $32,558 |
| Application fee | $55 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 29,637 | 24,023 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Temple or Penn?
It's harder to get into Penn. Temple accepts 80.4% of applicants, while Penn accepts 5.4%.
Do Temple or Penn graduates earn more?
Penn graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $111K vs $64K.
How much is tuition at Temple vs Penn?
Sticker-price tuition is $38,958 per year at Temple and $68,686 per year at Penn.
What SAT score do you need for Temple or Penn?
The median admitted SAT score is 1250 at Temple and 1553 at Penn; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Temple or Penn?
Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #401-500 for Temple vs #14 for Penn.
Which university offers more financial aid — Temple or Penn?
The average aid package is $17,833 at Temple and $70,971 at Penn.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern
North carolina