Penn vs. Middlebury

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA with Middlebury College in Middlebury, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Middlebury based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 2,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Middlebury College is in Middlebury, VT (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Middlebury College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Pennsylvania 8:1; Middlebury College 8:1.

Penn vs. Middlebury Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn or Middlebury? 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 Middlebury ($23,570 vs. $26,233).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pennsylvania are 0.4% lower than at Middlebury College ($19,174 vs. $19,250).
• University of Pennsylvania is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Middlebury (about $1,086 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $67,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Penn than at Middlebury College (about $1,086 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $67,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Pennsylvania than at Middlebury College (51% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 9.7% larger than aid received by Middlebury College students ($65,458 vs. $59,647).

Penn vs. Middlebury Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 40 points higher than at Middlebury (1500).
• Incoming Penn students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Middlebury).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570; Middlebury College 1445/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pennsylvania 34/36; Middlebury College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn - Required; Middlebury - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Penn Jan 5, 2027; Middlebury Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Middlebury (3.89).
• Middlebury has a higher acceptance rate (10.7%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68% at Penn vs. 44.4% at Middlebury.

Penn vs. Middlebury Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn and Middlebury? 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 Middlebury College's (90%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $51,200 more per year than Middlebury graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $72,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Middlebury College graduates have a $4,744 lower median loan debt than Penn graduates ($15,889 vs. $20,633).
• Among borrowers, Middlebury graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn graduates ($164 vs. $213).
• More Middlebury graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 84%)

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.