Penn vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 405 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Penn vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn or Olin College? 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 Olin College ($23,570 vs. $43,184).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pennsylvania are 7.9% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($19,174 vs. $20,810).
• University of Pennsylvania is 3.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Olin College (about $2,288 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at Penn than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (about $2,288 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $66,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 51.2% larger than aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students ($65,458 vs. $43,290).

Penn vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn or Olin College? 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 Olin College and Penn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 10 points higher than at Olin College (1530).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn - Required; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Penn Jan 5, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Olin College (3.9).
• Olin College has a higher acceptance rate (25.2%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68% at Penn vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

Penn vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn and Olin College? 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).

• The graduation rate at Penn is the same as at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (96% vs. 96%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates have a $5,923 lower median loan debt than Penn graduates ($14,710 vs. $20,633).
• Among borrowers, Olin College graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn graduates ($152 vs. $213).

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.