Johns Hopkins vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD with University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Johns Hopkins University is larger than Penn based on total student enrollment (30,210 students vs. 29,109 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Johns Hopkins University is located in Baltimore, MD (Large City setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Johns Hopkins University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Johns Hopkins University 6:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Johns Hopkins vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Johns Hopkins 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 Johns Hopkins ($23,570 vs. $26,017).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pennsylvania are 4.8% lower than at Johns Hopkins University ($19,174 vs. $20,150).
• University of Pennsylvania is 5.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Johns Hopkins (about $3,456 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $65,230.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.3% higher at Penn than at Johns Hopkins University (about $3,456 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $65,230.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Johns Hopkins University than at University of Pennsylvania (60% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 9.1% larger than aid received by Johns Hopkins University students ($65,458 vs. $59,977).

Johns Hopkins vs. Penn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Johns Hopkins 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 Johns Hopkins.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Johns Hopkins University (1550) is 10 points higher than at Penn (1540).
• Incoming Johns Hopkins students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 35) as students at Penn (35).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Johns Hopkins University 1520/1570; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Johns Hopkins University 34/36; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Johns Hopkins - Required; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Johns Hopkins Jan 3, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Johns Hopkins (3.92).
• Johns Hopkins has a higher acceptance rate (6.4%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47% at Johns Hopkins vs. 68% at Penn.

Johns Hopkins vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Johns Hopkins 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 Johns Hopkins University's (91%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $37,800 more per year than Johns Hopkins graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $85,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Johns Hopkins University graduates have a $5,633 lower median loan debt than Penn graduates ($15,000 vs. $20,633).
• Among borrowers, Johns Hopkins graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn graduates ($155 vs. $213).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Johns Hopkins students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 81%)

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.