Yale vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare Yale University in New Haven, 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 Yale based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 15,564 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Yale University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Yale University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Yale University 5:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Yale vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Yale 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 Yale University than Penn ($22,408 vs. $23,570).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pennsylvania are 3.6% lower than at Yale University ($19,174 vs. $19,900).
• University of Pennsylvania is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Yale (about $1,436 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $67,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Penn than at Yale University (about $1,436 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $67,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Yale University than at University of Pennsylvania (56% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Yale University students is 0.7% larger than aid received by University of Pennsylvania students ($65,892 vs. $65,458).

Yale vs. Penn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Yale 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 Yale.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 20 points higher than at Yale (1520).
• Incoming Penn students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Yale).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 1470/1570; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 33/35; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Yale - Required; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Yale Jan 2, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Yale students have the same average high school GPA (3.95) as students at Penn (3.95).
• Penn has a higher acceptance rate (5.4%) than Yale (3.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.8% at Yale vs. 68% at Penn.

Yale vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Yale 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).

• Yale University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than University of Pennsylvania's (96%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than Yale graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $118,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Yale University graduates have a $7,133 lower median loan debt than Penn graduates ($13,500 vs. $20,633).
• Among borrowers, Yale graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn graduates ($139 vs. $213).
• More Yale graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.