MHC vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA 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 MHC based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 2,275 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

MHC vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MHC 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 MHC ($23,570 vs. $32,526).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pennsylvania are 2.6% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($19,174 vs. $19,684).
• University of Pennsylvania is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than MHC (about $1,668 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $67,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at Penn than at Mount Holyoke College (about $1,668 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $67,018.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Holyoke College than at University of Pennsylvania (77% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 24.9% larger than aid received by Mount Holyoke College students ($65,458 vs. $52,418).

MHC vs. Penn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MHC 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 MHC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 80 points higher than at MHC (1460).
• Incoming Penn students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 33 at MHC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 32/35; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MHC - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: MHC Jan 15, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at MHC (3.87).
• MHC has a higher acceptance rate (36%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at MHC vs. 68% at Penn.

MHC vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MHC 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 Mount Holyoke College's (85%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $73,600 more per year than MHC graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $573 lower median loan debt than MHC graduates ($20,633 vs. $21,206).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MHC graduates ($213 vs. $219).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MHC 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.