Penn vs. Ursinus College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Ursinus College based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 1,502 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Ursinus College is in Collegeville, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ursinus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Pennsylvania 8:1; Ursinus College 10:1.

Penn vs. Ursinus College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn or Ursinus 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 Ursinus College ($23,570 vs. $32,158).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ursinus College are 11.2% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($17,028 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 12.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ursinus College (about $7,476 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $61,210.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.2% higher at Penn than at Ursinus College (about $7,476 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $61,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ursinus College than at University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 46.3% larger than aid received by Ursinus College students ($65,458 vs. $44,754).

Penn vs. Ursinus College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 250 points higher than at Ursinus College (1290).
• Incoming Penn students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 30 at Ursinus College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570; Ursinus College 1200/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pennsylvania 34/36; Ursinus College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn - Required; Ursinus College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Penn Jan 5, 2027; Ursinus College May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Ursinus College (3.53).
• Ursinus College has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68% at Penn vs. 12.5% at Ursinus College.

Penn vs. Ursinus College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn and Ursinus 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).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Ursinus College's (80%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $65,600 more per year than Ursinus College graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $6,367 lower median loan debt than Ursinus College graduates ($20,633 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ursinus College graduates ($213 vs. $279).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ursinus College students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 83%)

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.