University of Pennsylvania acceptance rate, scores and deadlines
Source: Common Data Set 2025–26 · deadlines from Penn's admissions site.
Acceptance rate
Penn acceptance rate by year
3,570 of 72,544 applicants admitted for Fall 2025, against 5.4% for Fall 2024.
Show the numbers
| Entering class | Applied | Admitted | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | 72,544 | 3,570 | 4.9% | Common Data Set |
| Fall 2024 | 65,226 | 3,523 | 5.4% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2023 | 59,465 | 3,489 | 5.9% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2022 | 54,588 | 3,549 | 6.5% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2021 | 56,332 | 3,304 | 5.9% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2020 | 42,205 | 3,789 | 9.0% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2019 | 44,961 | 3,446 | 7.7% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2018 | 44,491 | 3,740 | 8.4% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2017 | 40,413 | 3,757 | 9.3% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2016 | 38,918 | 3,674 | 9.4% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2015 | 37,268 | 3,787 | 10.2% | IPEDS |
2026–27 applications
Penn deadlines for 2026–27
Apply with Common App or Coalition App or QuestBridge. Checked October 24, 2026 on Penn's admissions site. Dates can change; confirm them there before you submit.
- Early decision Apply by Decisions December
- Regular decision Apply by Decisions April
Early rounds
Early decision and early action at Penn
Early pools include recruited athletes and other special cases, so the gap overstates the boost for a typical applicant. Early decision is binding: apply only if you would enroll.
Scores and GPA
Test scores and GPA at Penn
Scores are for enrolled students who sent them, not for everyone admitted.
Approximate: reading and math ranges added.
- 4.059.0%
- 3.75–3.9932.0%
- 3.50–3.745.0%
- 3.25–3.494.0%
- 3.00–3.240.0%
- 2.50–2.990.0%
What counts
What Penn weighs
From section C7 of Penn's Common Data Set 2025–26.
Very important
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Essays
- Recommendations
- Character
Important
- Class rank
- Activities
- Talent or ability
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
Considered
- Test scores
- First-generation status
- Alumni relation
- Where you live
- State residency
Not considered
- Interview
- Religious affiliation
- Demonstrated interest
Waitlist
Penn waitlist
3,252 students were offered a place on the waitlist for Fall 2025, 2,566 accepted it, and 60 were admitted from it (2.3% of those who stayed on).
Cost
What Penn costs
From the College Scorecard. For your own estimate, use Penn's net price calculator.
Compare
Colleges with a similar acceptance rate
Close to Penn's 4.9%, from the same official data.
FAQ
Questions about Penn admissions
What is Penn's acceptance rate?
Penn admitted 3,570 of 72,544 first-year applicants for Fall 2025, an acceptance rate of 4.9%. That is down from 5.4% for Fall 2024. Source: Common Data Set 2025–26.
Is Penn test-optional for 2026–27?
No. Penn requires the SAT or ACT from first-year applicants for 2026–27.
When are Penn's application deadlines for 2026–27?
Early decision: November 1, 2026; Regular decision: January 5, 2027. Check Penn's admissions site before you apply, as dates can change.
What SAT score do you need for Penn?
There is no cutoff. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored about 1510–1570 on the SAT (Fall 2025), and 52% of them sent a score. A score at or above about 1570 is in the top quarter of enrolled students. This range is approximate: it adds the college's reading and math section ranges, because no total-score range is published.
Does applying early decision help at Penn?
For Fall 2025, Penn admitted 13.3% of 9,503 early decision applicants, compared with 4.9% overall. Early pools include recruited athletes and other special cases, so the gap overstates the boost for a typical applicant.
Where the numbers come from
Sources
- University of Pennsylvania Common Data Set 2025–26
- College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education), IPEDS admissions 2015–2024
- Penn first-year admissions, checked October 24, 2026
Odds are estimates from public data, shown as a range. An estimate, not a guarantee.
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