SUNY Poly vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, 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 SUNY Poly based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 2,733 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY Polytechnic Institute is located in Utica, NY (Rural Fringe setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY Polytechnic Institute 13:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

SUNY Poly vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Poly 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 SUNY Polytechnic Institute than Penn ($14,782 vs. $23,570).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Polytechnic Institute are 13.5% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($16,584 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 696.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Poly (about $60,061 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $8,625.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 223.8% higher at Penn than at SUNY Polytechnic Institute (about $47,471 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $21,215.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Polytechnic Institute than at University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 683.3% larger than aid received by SUNY Polytechnic Institute students ($65,458 vs. $8,357).

SUNY Poly vs. Penn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY Poly 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 SUNY Poly.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 340 points higher than at SUNY Poly (1200).
• Incoming Penn students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 26 at SUNY Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY Polytechnic Institute 1025/1370; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY Polytechnic Institute 22/30; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Poly - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY Poly Aug 1, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at SUNY Poly (3.7).
• SUNY Poly has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.7% at SUNY Poly vs. 68% at Penn.

SUNY Poly vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Poly 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 SUNY Polytechnic Institute's (47%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $70,400 more per year than SUNY Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $53,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Polytechnic Institute graduates have a $4,048 lower median loan debt than Penn graduates ($16,585 vs. $20,633).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Poly graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn graduates ($171 vs. $213).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Poly students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 63%)

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.