Wesleyan University vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT 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 Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 4,011 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, CT (Small City setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wesleyan University 8:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Wesleyan University vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wesleyan University 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 Wesleyan University than Penn ($23,025 vs. $23,570).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pennsylvania are 3.5% lower than at Wesleyan University ($19,174 vs. $19,872).
• Wesleyan University is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn (about $1,656 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $68,686.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at Wesleyan University than at University of Pennsylvania (about $1,656 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $68,686.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Pennsylvania than at Wesleyan University (51% vs. 42%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wesleyan University students is 0.8% larger than aid received by University of Pennsylvania students ($65,995 vs. $65,458).

Wesleyan University vs. Penn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wesleyan University 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 Wesleyan University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 60 points higher than at Wesleyan University (1480).
• Incoming Penn students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Wesleyan University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 1415/1540; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 33/35; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wesleyan University - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (16.5%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Wesleyan University vs. 68% at Penn.

Wesleyan University vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wesleyan University 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 Wesleyan University's (92%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $65,600 more per year than Wesleyan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have a $3,133 lower median loan debt than Penn graduates ($17,500 vs. $20,633).
• Among borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn graduates ($180 vs. $213).
• More Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.