Washington College vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare Washington College in Chestertown, MD 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 Washington College based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 923 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington College is located in Chestertown, MD (Distant Town setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Washington College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington College 8:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Washington College vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Washington College 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 Pennsylvania than Washington College ($23,570 vs. $29,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington College are 4.8% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($18,250 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 24.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington College (about $13,360 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $55,326.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.1% higher at Penn than at Washington College (about $13,360 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $55,326.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington College than at University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 50.5% larger than aid received by Washington College students ($65,458 vs. $43,485).

Washington College vs. Penn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Washington College 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 Washington College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 270 points higher than at Washington College (1270).
• Incoming Penn students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 29 at Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington College 1140/1390; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington College 27/31; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Washington College - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Washington College Feb 15, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Washington College (3.71).
• Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (56.9%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Washington College vs. 68% at Penn.

Washington College vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Washington College 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 Washington College's (75%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $72,800 more per year than Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $3,617 lower median loan debt than Washington College graduates ($20,633 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington College graduates ($213 vs. $250).
• More Washington College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.