Fordham vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare Fordham University in Bronx, NY 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 Fordham based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 16,150 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fordham University is located in Bronx, NY (Large City setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Fordham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fordham University 14:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Fordham vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fordham 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 Fordham ($23,570 vs. $48,190).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pennsylvania are 20.4% lower than at Fordham University ($19,174 vs. $24,090).
• University of Pennsylvania is 5.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fordham (about $3,771 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at Penn than at Fordham University (about $3,771 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fordham University than at University of Pennsylvania (95% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 81.9% larger than aid received by Fordham University students ($65,458 vs. $35,988).

Fordham vs. Penn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fordham 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 Fordham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 140 points higher than at Fordham (1400).
• Incoming Penn students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 31 at Fordham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fordham University 1320/1480; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fordham University 30/33; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fordham - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fordham Jan 1, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Fordham (3.67).
• Fordham has a higher acceptance rate (59.3%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Fordham vs. 68% at Penn.

Fordham vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fordham 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 Fordham University's (78%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $59,400 more per year than Fordham graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $64,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $5,367 lower median loan debt than Fordham graduates ($20,633 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fordham graduates ($213 vs. $268).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fordham 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.