NJIT vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, NJ 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 NJIT based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 13,247 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• New Jersey Institute of Technology is located in Newark, NJ (Large City setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• New Jersey Institute of Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: New Jersey Institute of Technology 17:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

NJIT vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NJIT 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 New Jersey Institute of Technology than Penn ($17,313 vs. $23,570).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Jersey Institute of Technology are 14.2% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($16,450 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 243.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than NJIT (about $48,712 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $19,974.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.4% higher at Penn than at New Jersey Institute of Technology (about $31,022 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $37,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Jersey Institute of Technology than at University of Pennsylvania (91% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 262% larger than aid received by New Jersey Institute of Technology students ($65,458 vs. $18,084).

NJIT vs. Penn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NJIT 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 NJIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 200 points higher than at NJIT (1340).
• Incoming Penn students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 30 at NJIT).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: New Jersey Institute of Technology 1210/1460; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: New Jersey Institute of Technology 27/34; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NJIT - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: NJIT Mar 1, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at NJIT (3.72).
• NJIT has a higher acceptance rate (65.1%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.2% at NJIT vs. 68% at Penn.

NJIT vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NJIT 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 New Jersey Institute of Technology's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $56,400 more per year than NJIT graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $67,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $2,367 lower median loan debt than NJIT graduates ($20,633 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NJIT graduates ($213 vs. $237).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NJIT students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 69%)

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.