Drexel vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare Drexel University in Philadelphia, 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 Drexel based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 21,153 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Drexel vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drexel 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 Drexel ($23,570 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drexel University are 5.6% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($18,096 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 10.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drexel (about $6,274 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at Penn than at Drexel University (about $6,274 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 86.8% larger than aid received by Drexel University students ($65,458 vs. $35,051).

Drexel vs. Penn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Drexel 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 Drexel.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 200 points higher than at Drexel (1340).
• Incoming Penn students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 29 at Drexel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drexel University 1240/1440; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drexel University 27/32; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drexel - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Drexel Jan 15, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Drexel (3.67).
• Drexel has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.1% at Drexel vs. 68% at Penn.

Drexel vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drexel 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 Drexel University's (68%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $46,200 more per year than Drexel graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $77,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $5,610 lower median loan debt than Drexel graduates ($20,633 vs. $26,243).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drexel graduates ($213 vs. $271).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drexel students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 77%)

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.