University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Pennsylvania at a Glance
The University of Pennsylvania is a private Ivy League research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. One of nine colonial colleges, it was chartered in 1755 through the efforts of founder and first president Benjamin Franklin, who advocated for an educational institution that trained leaders in academia, commerce, and public service.
1740
286 years old
$24.8B
$24.81 billion
29,384
10,325 undergrad · 13,614 grad
4,793
299 acres
Prestige & value signals
Identity
How to Apply to University of Pennsylvania
Official admissions pageJanuary 5
November 1 (Early Decision, binding)
$80
Fee waiver available
2 required
Testing policy
Recommendation letters
Essays
Interview
Fee waiver
Is University of Pennsylvania Worth It?
University of Pennsylvania is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $28,699/year net price and $111,371 median earnings, graduates earn 3.9× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 97% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
The catch: admission is extremely selective at just 5%, making this an option only for top-tier applicants.
Median student debt of $15,715 is manageable at just 14% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
Bottom line: University of Pennsylvania delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How University of Pennsylvania compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #10 of 19 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Yale University | 100 | $23,777 | $100,533 |
| #2 | University of Chicago | 100 | $14,860 | $91,885 |
| #3 | Johns Hopkins University | 100 | $18,809 | $87,555 |
| #4 | Harvard University | 100 | $19,066 | $101,817 |
| #5 | Princeton University | 100 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| #6 | Columbia University in the City of New York | 100 | $21,590 | $102,491 |
| #10 | University of Pennsylvania | 94 | $28,699 | $111,371 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of University of Pennsylvania's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in PA.
Best Programs at University of Pennsylvania
The highest-earning program at University of Pennsylvania is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $135,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $29,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from University of Pennsylvania earns $135,200, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $29,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $19,500 in median debt vs. $21,500 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $28,699/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $135,200 | $135,200 | $19,500 |
| Computer Science | $109,200 | $109,200 | N/A |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $107,700 | $107,700 | $19,500 |
| Economics | $74,700 | $74,700 | $18,625 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $74,300 | $74,300 | $19,500 |
| Chemical Engineering | $73,000 | $73,000 | N/A |
| Mechanical Engineering | $68,300 | $68,300 | $21,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $65,700 | $65,700 | $21,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,700 | $64,700 | $23,250 |
| Marketing | $64,400 | $64,400 | $22,142 |
| Philosophy | $63,600 | $63,600 | $23,875 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $55,200 | $55,200 | $18,573 |
| Political Science and Government | $51,100 | $51,100 | $19,500 |
| History | $50,900 | $50,900 | $19,380 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $49,400 | $49,400 | $19,500 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $48,500 | $48,500 | $17,819 |
| Psychology, General | $35,500 | $35,500 | $19,500 |
| Biology, General | $34,900 | $34,900 | $19,425 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $33,500 | $33,500 | $22,350 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $29,300 | $29,300 | $21,500 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Philadelphia, PA
- Student Body
- 10,650 students
- Admission Rate
- 5%
- Graduation Rate
- 97%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $28,699
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $111,371
- Median Student Debt
- $15,715