UD vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Delaware in Newark, DE 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 UD based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 24,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Delaware is located in Newark, DE (Large Suburban setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• University of Delaware is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Delaware 16:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

UD vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UD 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 Delaware than Penn ($19,139 vs. $23,570).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Delaware are 19.8% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($15,386 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 308.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UD (about $51,876 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $16,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.9% higher at Penn than at University of Delaware (about $27,286 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $41,400.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Delaware than at University of Pennsylvania (91% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 392.1% larger than aid received by University of Delaware students ($65,458 vs. $13,302).

UD vs. Penn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UD 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 UD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 260 points higher than at UD (1280).
• Incoming Penn students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 30 at UD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 1190/1370; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 28/32; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UD - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UD Jan 15, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at UD (3.94).
• UD has a higher acceptance rate (70.6%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at UD vs. 68% at Penn.

UD vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UD 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 University of Delaware's (78%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $62,300 more per year than UD graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $61,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $3,570 lower median loan debt than UD graduates ($20,633 vs. $24,203).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UD graduates ($213 vs. $250).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UD students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 80%)

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.