Connecticut College vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare Connecticut College in New London, CT 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 Connecticut College based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 1,990 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Connecticut College is located in New London, CT (Small City setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Connecticut College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Connecticut College 9:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Connecticut College vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Connecticut College 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 Connecticut College ($23,570 vs. $45,700).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Connecticut College are 3.2% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($18,558 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Connecticut College (about $1,444 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $67,242.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Penn than at Connecticut College (about $1,444 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $67,242.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Connecticut College than at University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 68.1% larger than aid received by Connecticut College students ($65,458 vs. $38,932).

Connecticut College vs. Penn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Connecticut College 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 Connecticut College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 110 points higher than at Connecticut College (1430).
• Incoming Penn students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 31 at Connecticut College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Connecticut College 1350/1500; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Connecticut College 30/33; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Connecticut College - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Connecticut College Jan 1, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Connecticut College (3.7).
• Connecticut College has a higher acceptance rate (37%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Connecticut College vs. 68% at Penn.

Connecticut College vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Connecticut College 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 Connecticut College's (84%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $62,900 more per year than Connecticut College graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $60,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $2,917 lower median loan debt than Connecticut College graduates ($20,633 vs. $23,550).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Connecticut College graduates ($213 vs. $243).
• More Connecticut College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 84%)

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.