University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) vs Cornell
When it comes to choosing the right university, it's essential to compare institutions to find the best fit. University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University, both esteemed Ivy League schools, offer distinct experiences. Penn, located in the heart of Philadelphia, boasts a lower acceptance rate (7.4%) compared to Cornell's (10.3%). While Cornell, situated in Ithaca, New York, has a larger student body, Penn's student population is more diverse. Both universities excel in various fields, with Penn known for its Wharton School of Business and Cornell for its College of Engineering. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, including graduation rates, popular majors, and more, to make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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          Cornell University | 
          
        
          
             
          
          University of Pennsylvania | 
      
|---|---|---|
    Overview | 
||
| Location | Ithaca, New York | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 
| Campus setting | City: Small | City: Large | 
| College type | 4 year | 4 year | 
| Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) | 
| Calendar system | Semester | Semester | 
| Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate | 
| Students retention rate | 97.0% | 98.0% | 
    
       
      Common app member
    
   | 
      Yes | Yes | 
| Religious affiliation | ||
| 
       | 
  ||
    Admission | 
||
| Acceptance rate | 8.7% | 5.9% | 
| Application fees | 
                         
            Undergraduate:
            $80
           
          
            Graduate:
            $105
           
                   | 
      
                         
            Undergraduate:
            $75
           
          
            Graduate:
            $90
           
                   | 
  
| SAT range | 1450 - 1560 | 1480 - 1570 | 
| ACT range | 33 - 35 | 33 - 35 | 
| Students submitting SAT score | 41.0% | 49.0% | 
| Students submitting ACT score | 20.0% | 30.0% | 
| Total number of applicants | 67,380 | 56,332 | 
| Total number of admissions given out | 5,852 | 3,304 | 
| Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,718 | 2,418 | 
| Yield rate | 63.5% | 73.2% | 
| Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A | 
| High school GPA | Not required | Required | 
| Recommendation letters | Required | Required | 
| High school transcript | Not required | Not required | 
| English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Tuition and Fees | 
||
| Sticker price | $80,287 | $80,496 | 
| Average net price | $24,262 | $14,578 | 
| Tuition | $60,286 | $54,652 | 
| Room & board | 
                         
            Room/dormitory:
            $9,962
           
          
            Meal plan:
            $6,434
           
                   | 
      
                         
            Room/dormitory:
            $11,358
           
          
            Meal plan:
            $5,946
           
                   | 
  
| Available payment plans | 
                         | 
      
                        
  | 
  
| 
       | 
  ||
    Financial Aid | 
||
| 
    Students receiving financial aid
     (Grants & scholarships)  | 
      
              
          50.0%
        
         Average amount $52,674  | 
      
              
          52.0%
        
         Average amount $50,778  | 
  
| Students receiving federal student loan | 
              
          26.0%
        
         Average amount $3,924  | 
      
              
          9.0%
        
         Average amount $5,030  | 
  
| Students taking out private loans | 
              
          16.0%
        
         Average amount $8,357  | 
      
              
          2.0%
        
         Average amount $27,160  | 
  
| 
       | 
  ||
    Students and Campus | 
||
| Undergraduate students | 
              
          15,503
        
        
           Men 46.1% Women 53.9%  | 
      
              
          11,292
        
        
           Men 44.7% Women 55.3%  | 
  
| Graduate students | 
              
          10,079
        
        
           Men 51.0% Women 49.0%  | 
      
              
          16,746
        
        
           Men 43.8% Women 56.2%  | 
  
| Racial/ethnic diversity | 
              
           Moderate 
    
    
    
       | 
      
              
           Moderate 
    
    
       | 
  
| Out-of-state students | 64.3% | 82.7% | 
| International students | 24.4% | 22.8% | 
| Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Large | 
| Dormitory capacity | 7,422 | 6,400 | 
| First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No | 
| Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California New Jersey Florida Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania New York California New Jersey Florida | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Academics | 
||
| Popular study areas | 
              
  | 
      
              
  | 
  
| Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 6:1 | 
| Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Outcome | 
||
| Graduation rate | 94.1% | 96.2% | 
| Dropout rate | 5.2% | 2.8% | 
| Transferred out | N/A | N/A | 
| Alumni salary by major (Top 10) | 
               
              
                
                  Law (Doctoral Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Operations Research (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                  
  | 
      
               
              
                
                  Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  International/Global Studies (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Real Estate (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Law (First Professional Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                  
  | 
  
    
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      Common app member