Programs at the University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania appears in our ranking of the 50 Affordable Accelerated MSN Online Programs.
The University of Pennsylvania is divided into four undergraduate schools and twelve graduate schools, and many students integrate courses from multiple divisions for an interdisciplinary approach to their education. Divisions include the College of Arts and Sciences, Penn Engineering, the School of Nursing, and The Wharton School.
Popular programs at the university include those in business, social sciences, biology, engineering, and health professions. The university retains virtually all of its students each year with a freshman retention rate of 98 percent. The student-faculty ratio at the university is a low 6:1, and almost three-quarters of its classes have fewer than 20 students enrolled.
For undergraduate students, there are more than 90 majors offered across its four undergraduate schools, and students can also enroll in several dual degree programs. A selection of Bachelor of Arts degrees offered by the university includes those in Africana studies, cinema studies, criminology, history, mathematics, and linguistics.
The university also has a significant selection of engineering concentrations with its Bachelor of Science in Engineering program featuring options in bioengineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and applied mechanics, and systems science and engineering. Students can also earn Bachelor of Science degrees in biomedical science, computational biology, or cognitive science.
For graduate students, options include an impressive number of programs in areas as varied as architecture, bioengineering, data science, education, nanotechnology, medical education, and music. Around half of the students enrolled in degree programs at the University of Pennsylvania are enrolled at the graduate level.
Students who are interested in studying online may enroll in a variety of credit, non-credit, and executive development options. For example, healthcare professionals can participate in the university’s Continuing Medical and Interprofessional Education Program (CME-IPCE) through programs like Primary Care Best Practices Online and Communication, Ethics, Quality Improvement.
Meanwhile, students who enroll in online learning from the College of Arts and Sciences or the College of Professional and Liberal Studies can participate in massive online open courses, structured active in-class learning opportunities, and other digital programs. Some of the online credit courses include those in anthropology, English, history, cinema studies, and economics.
About the University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private university and is part of the Ivy League group of institutions in the United States. The university is one of the nine colleges founded in the Colonial Era before the Declaration of Independence was signed. The first president of the university was Benjamin Franklin, and the campus is located in Philadelphia. The school was formally established in 1740.
Today, the university has nearly 22,000 students attending with those students distributed about evenly between undergraduate and graduate study. The school’s campus covers 1,085 acres and includes the University City campus and the Bolton Center, as well as an arboretum. The school’s official colors are blue and red. Its students are nicknamed the Quakers, and their varsity teams participate in NCAA Division I games.
University of Pennsylvania Accreditation Details
Regional accreditation for the University of Pennsylvania has been granted by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which is an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Secretary of Education. The university is also authorized to grant degrees with approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The school also participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.
Many programs are also accredited by various agencies. Approvals, authorizations, and accreditations have been granted by the American Bar Association, the American Dental Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Further approvals have been earned from the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education, and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
University of Pennsylvania Application Requirements
The University of Pennsylvania requires several forms from students when they apply. Required forms include the Common Application or Coalition Application, as well as official high school transcripts. Students should fill out the Penn-specific essay question when they fill out the official application. Students should also submit their school report, a counselor recommendation, and an academic teacher evaluation.
If students decide to apply for early decision, they must fill out an early decision agreement form, which is due by the middle of February. Students will also need to submit a final report for their grades in the middle of June when it becomes available. The university also requires that students submit their standardized test scores from the ACT or SAT. The SAT subject tests are optional. Some students may be offered the chance to participate in an interview. Certain programs may also require supplemental materials.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The University of Pennsylvania is a private institution and charges the same amount whether a student is from Pennsylvania or from outside the state. Undergraduate tuition is $51,156 per year, and there are also fees that cost an additional $6,614. Housing on-campus costs $10,600, and a dining plan costs $5,590. Books and supplies are estimated to cost $1,358. With miscellaneous costs added, the total cost of attendance is $78,186.
For graduate students, tuition is charged for each class in which a student enrolls. One class is $7,310, two classes is $14,620, three classes is $22,454, and four classes is $29,240. The cost per class includes tuition, general fees, and a technology fee. Students will also need to pay for books and supplies, and the university also offers housing options on campus for graduate students.
Applicants who want to receive financial aid will submit a FAFSA form and communicate with Student Financial Services for information on available assistance. Funding may be offered in the form of grants, scholarships, or loans. Some students may also qualify for offers of student employment. In the past 15 years, the university has offered more than $2 billion in aid to undergraduate students. Forty-five percent of students enrolled receive some type of grant-based aid.
Students with a household income of less than $65,500 usually receive financial aid packages that cover all costs, including room and board, tuition, and fees. Less than a third of students who receive need-based aid need to take out loans to cover additional costs. The University of Pennsylvania has also worked in recent years to reduce the average net cost for its students.