Trinity College vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare Trinity College in Hartford, CT 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 Trinity College based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 2,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Trinity College is located in Hartford, CT (Midsize City setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Trinity College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Trinity College 9:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Trinity College vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Trinity 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 Trinity College ($23,570 vs. $36,071).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Trinity College are 1.5% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($18,890 vs. $19,174).
• Trinity College is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn (about $2,084 more per year; $70,770.00 vs. $68,686.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at Trinity College than at University of Pennsylvania (about $2,084 more per year; $70,770.00 vs. $68,686.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Trinity College than at University of Pennsylvania (73% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 26.5% larger than aid received by Trinity College students ($65,458 vs. $51,754).

Trinity College vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 160 points higher than at Trinity College (1380).
• Incoming Penn students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 32 at Trinity College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Trinity College 1298/1470; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Trinity College 30/34; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Trinity College - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Trinity College Jan 17, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Trinity College (3.8).
• Trinity College has a higher acceptance rate (29.2%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.8% at Trinity College vs. 68% at Penn.

Trinity College vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Trinity 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 Trinity College's (86%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $52,100 more per year than Trinity College graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $71,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $367 lower median loan debt than Trinity College graduates ($20,633 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Trinity College graduates ($213 vs. $217).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Trinity College 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.