CollegeCalcAI
Most selectiveUpdated for the 2025-2026 cycle

University of Pennsylvania acceptance rate and admissions profile

University of Pennsylvania is a private university in Pennsylvania with a 6% acceptance rate, which makes it most selective. Here is what it looks for, where it sits among Pennsylvania schools, and how to estimate your own odds with CollegeCalcAI.

Acceptance rate
6%
Most selective
Admitted SAT (75th pct)
1560
of admitted students
Type
Private
Pennsylvania
Selectivity in state
#1
of 62 in PA
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What University of Pennsylvania looks for

What University of Pennsylvania weighs most heavily in its admissions review, modeled from its selectivity and profile.

Rigor of secondary school record
Very important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Considered
Standardized test scores
Important
Application essay
Very important
Recommendations
Very important
Interview
Considered
Extracurricular activities
Important
Talent / ability
Important
Character / personal qualities
Very important
First-generation status
Considered
Alumni / legacy relation
Considered
Geographical residence
Considered
Volunteer work
Considered
Work experience
Considered
Level of applicant interest
Considered

SAT score positioning at University of Pennsylvania

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at University of Pennsylvania
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500Below the middle, makes the rest of the profile matter more
1400Well below the admitted range
1300Well below the admitted range
1200Well below the admitted range
1100Well below the admitted range

How University of Pennsylvania compares in Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania ranks #1 most selective of 62 schools in Pennsylvania in our database.

Swarthmore College
9%acceptance · PA
Carnegie Mellon University
11%acceptance · PA
Haverford College
13%acceptance · PA
Villanova University
23%acceptance · PA
Franklin & Marshall College
25%acceptance · PA
Lafayette College
30%acceptance · PA
Bryn Mawr College
30%acceptance · PA
Bucknell University
32%acceptance · PA
See all Pennsylvania schools →

Similar to University of Pennsylvania

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

Dartmouth College
6%acceptance · NH
Duke University
6%acceptance · NC
Vanderbilt University
6%acceptance · TN
Brown University
5%acceptance · RI
Yale University
5%acceptance · CT
University of Chicago
5%acceptance · IL

Frequently asked questions

How hard is it to get into University of Pennsylvania?

University of Pennsylvania has a 6% acceptance rate, which makes it most selective — it admits roughly one in ten applicants or fewer. Admission depends on how your full profile compares to its admitted students, not on scores alone.

What SAT score do you need for University of Pennsylvania?

There is no hard cutoff, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1560. A score at or above the admitted range strengthens your application; CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds.

What does University of Pennsylvania value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, University of Pennsylvania weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic gpa, application essay most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

What are my chances of getting into University of Pennsylvania?

Your chances depend on your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities together. Use the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance estimate for University of Pennsylvania in a few minutes, no account required.

Want the deeper guide? Read our full University of Pennsylvania chances guide →

Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.