Bryn Mawr vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, PA with University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Bryn Mawr based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 1,679 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bryn Mawr College is located in Bryn Mawr, PA (Large Suburban setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Bryn Mawr College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bryn Mawr College 8:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Bryn Mawr vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bryn Mawr or Penn? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Pennsylvania than Bryn Mawr ($23,570 vs. $33,221).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pennsylvania are 1.2% lower than at Bryn Mawr College ($19,174 vs. $19,400).
• University of Pennsylvania is 4.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bryn Mawr (about $2,766 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $65,920.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.2% higher at Penn than at Bryn Mawr College (about $2,766 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $65,920.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bryn Mawr College than at University of Pennsylvania (72% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 30.8% larger than aid received by Bryn Mawr College students ($65,458 vs. $50,029).

Bryn Mawr vs. Penn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bryn Mawr or Penn? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn and Bryn Mawr.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 140 points higher than at Bryn Mawr (1400).
• Incoming Penn students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 31 at Bryn Mawr).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bryn Mawr College 1280/1510; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bryn Mawr College 29/33; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bryn Mawr - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bryn Mawr Jan 15, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Bryn Mawr (3.85).
• Bryn Mawr has a higher acceptance rate (29.4%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.5% at Bryn Mawr vs. 68% at Penn.

Bryn Mawr vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bryn Mawr and Penn? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Bryn Mawr College's (87%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $62,100 more per year than Bryn Mawr graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $61,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $5,367 lower median loan debt than Bryn Mawr graduates ($20,633 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bryn Mawr graduates ($213 vs. $268).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bryn Mawr students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 79%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.