Penn vs. PHC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pennsylvania is larger than PHC based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 425 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Patrick Henry College is in Purcellville, Virginia (Town Fringe setting).
• University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Patrick Henry College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Pennsylvania 8:1; Patrick Henry College 14:1.

Penn vs. PHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn or PHC? 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 PHC ($23,570 vs. $25,869).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Patrick Henry College are 42.5% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($11,020 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 141.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than PHC (about $40,261 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $28,425.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 141.6% higher at Penn than at Patrick Henry College (about $40,261 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $28,425.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Patrick Henry College than at University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 390.5% larger than aid received by Patrick Henry College students ($65,458 vs. $13,345).

Penn vs. PHC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 210 points higher than at PHC (1330).
• Incoming Penn students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 30 at PHC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570; Patrick Henry College 1240/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pennsylvania 34/36; Patrick Henry College 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn - Required; PHC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Penn Jan 5, 2027; PHC Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at PHC (3.83).
• PHC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68% at Penn vs. 47.6% at PHC.

Penn vs. PHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn and PHC? 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).

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.