University of Pennsylvania vs Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania is a private university in Philadelphia, PA, and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is a public university in Bloomsburg, PA. University of Pennsylvania is the more selective of the two, admitting about 5% of applicants against 93% at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $15,699 a year against $28,699 at University of Pennsylvania. About 97% of students graduate at University of Pennsylvania, compared with 54% at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Ten years after enrolling, University of Pennsylvania alumni earn a median of about $111,371, against $52,416 for Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania.
* Reported aid for this income range averaged above the billed cost.
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is University of Pennsylvania or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania harder to get into?
- University of Pennsylvania is harder to get into. It admits about 5% of applicants, compared with 93% at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, University of Pennsylvania or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania?
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is cheaper on average. Students pay about $15,699 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $28,699 at University of Pennsylvania. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at University of Pennsylvania and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania?
- Before aid, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania costs about $25,161 a year and University of Pennsylvania about $89,028. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, University of Pennsylvania or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania?
- University of Pennsylvania. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-3,012 there, against about $11,374 at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, University of Pennsylvania or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania?
- University of Pennsylvania is the larger of the two, with about 10,650 undergraduates against 9,210 at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania.
- Does University of Pennsylvania or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania have a better graduation rate?
- University of Pennsylvania has the higher graduation rate, at about 97% against 54% at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania.
- Do graduates of University of Pennsylvania or Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania earn more?
- University of Pennsylvania alumni earn more on average: a median of about $111,371 ten years after enrolling, against about $52,416 for Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do University of Pennsylvania and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania require SAT or ACT scores?
- University of Pennsylvania requires SAT or ACT scores. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do University of Pennsylvania and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1510–1570 at University of Pennsylvania and 990–1190 at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Which of these is the better fit for you?
These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.