Gettysburg College vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, 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 Gettysburg College based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 2,812 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gettysburg College is located in Gettysburg, PA (Distant Town setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Gettysburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gettysburg College 10:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Gettysburg College vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gettysburg 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 Gettysburg College ($23,570 vs. $32,769).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gettysburg College are 16% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($16,110 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gettysburg College (about $2,046 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $66,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at Penn than at Gettysburg College (about $2,046 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $66,640.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gettysburg College than at University of Pennsylvania (98% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 33.1% larger than aid received by Gettysburg College students ($65,458 vs. $49,191).

Gettysburg College vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 170 points higher than at Gettysburg College (1370).
• Incoming Penn students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 30 at Gettysburg College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gettysburg College 1270/1460; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gettysburg College 29/32; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gettysburg College - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gettysburg College Jan 15, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Gettysburg College has a higher acceptance rate (38.9%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Gettysburg College vs. 68% at Penn.

Gettysburg College vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gettysburg 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 Gettysburg College's (85%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $62,700 more per year than Gettysburg College graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $60,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $1,367 lower median loan debt than Gettysburg College graduates ($20,633 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gettysburg College graduates ($213 vs. $227).
• More Gettysburg 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.