University of Pennsylvania
What University of Pennsylvania's own numbers say, from its Common Data Set 2025-26.
See your odds at University of Pennsylvania →All 7 insights at University of Pennsylvania PRO
Early DecisionUniversity of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania's ED number is inflated.
13% of Early Decision applicants get in, but that pool includes recruited athletes and legacies, admitted at far higher rates. Without them, our estimate is about 9.9%. Everyone else: 3.7%.
ED, as reported13%
ED, without hooks (estimate)≈9.9%
Everyone else3.7%
Source: University of Pennsylvania's Common Data Set 2025-26; hooked share is an estimate (A12)
InternationalUniversity of Pennsylvania
International applicants face 2.0× tougher odds at University of Pennsylvania.
2.5% of international applicants are admitted, against 4.9% overall.
Overall4.9%
International2.5%
Source: University of Pennsylvania's Common Data Set 2025-26
Getting harderUniversity of Pennsylvania
Getting into University of Pennsylvania is 1.6× harder than in 2019.
The admit rate fell from 7.7% (2019-20) to 4.9% (2025-26).
2019-207.7%
2025-264.9%
Source: University of Pennsylvania's Common Data Set 2025-26
WaitlistUniversity of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania's waitlist is a long shot: 2.3%.
60 of 2,566 students who stayed on the list got in.
Admitted off the list2.3%
Not admitted98%
Source: University of Pennsylvania's Common Data Set 2025-26
MoneyUniversity of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania meets 100% of need.
The average need-based grant is $70,867 a year, against tuition of $65,670.
Average grant$71k
Tuition$66k
Source: University of Pennsylvania's Common Data Set 2025-26
ApplicationsUniversity of Pennsylvania
Applications to University of Pennsylvania are up 63%.
From 44,491 in 2018-19 to 72,544 in 2025-26.
2018-1944,491
2025-2672,544
Source: University of Pennsylvania's Common Data Set 2025-26
Early DecisionUniversity of Pennsylvania
52% of University of Pennsylvania's class is filled in Early Decision.
That leaves about 1,154 seats for 63,041 applicants outside ED.
Admitted Early Decision52%
Everyone else48%
Source: University of Pennsylvania's Common Data Set 2025-26
7 more things the data says PRO
- ED applicants were admitted at 13%, against 3.7% for everyone else: 3.6 times the rate.
- The admit rate has moved down steadily, from 7.7% in 2019-20 to 4.9% in 2025-26. If the trend holds, expect about 4.3% in 2026-27.
- After ED, 1,154 of 2,420 seats were left for 63,041 other applicants: about one seat for every 55.
- 2,566 students stayed on the waitlist and 60 were admitted from it (2.3%).
- Early Decision filled about 52% of the 2025-26 first-year class, less than most similar colleges.
- It reports meeting 100% of financial need for first-years who have need.
- Applications rose 63% from 2018-19 to 2025-26 (44,491 to 72,544), faster than 76% of colleges here.
What students say PRO
From students' own posts on Reddit and admissions forums: self-reported, unverified, never used in your odds.
- Of the 38 admits who named a round, 22 applied Early Decision (binding) and 16 applied Regular Decision.
- About 35 of 70 admits did real research or published work: lab or university projects, research internships, papers, or conference talks.
- About 54 admits held a top role built over years: founder, president, captain or editor of a club, team, paper or nonprofit.
- About 23 admits did speech, debate, Model UN, mock trial or quiz bowl, many as captain or president.
- About 48 admits did steady community service, tutoring or nonprofit work, often alongside leadership in the same area.
- Students report the waitlist is a long shot: Penn tells waitlisted applicants the class is full and expects very few offers, often only a few dozen.
- Students report Penn is need-aware for most international applicants, so applying for aid can lower odds; a few mention it is need-blind for certain countries.
- Students report alumni interviews are informational only and do not change the decision, so a weak interview is not a reason to worry.
- Students report Early Decision helps odds but is binding, and a deferred ED applicant is rarely admitted later (under 10%, per one poster).
- Students report getting in without a test score or with only mid-level activities, and say genuine interests shown in essays mattered more than perfect numbers.
Every number, year by year: University of Pennsylvania on Open College Data.