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College comparison
Penn vs Yale
A side-by-side of acceptance rate, test scores, and cost — source-cited estimates, not guarantees. Want the number that actually matters for your student? Model your admit odds at each.
| Metric |  Penn Philadelphia, PA |  Yale New Haven, CT |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rateYale University is more selective | 5% | 4% |
| SAT (25–75) | 1510–1570 | 1470–1570 |
| ACT (25–75) | — | — |
| Undergrad enrollment | 10,650 | 6,758 |
| Avg net price | $28,699 | $23,777 |
| Median earnings (10 yr)Penn reports higher median earnings | $111,371 | $100,533 |
| Graduation rate | 97% | 96% |
| Median debt | $15,715 | $12,975 |
| Economic mobility | 2.1% | 2.1% |
| Test policy | — | — |
| Type | Private (nonprofit) | Private (nonprofit) |
Penn vs Yale: how they compare
For an affluent, data-driven family, the choice between Penn and Yale is a close quantitative call with a clear qualitative fork: pre-professional intensity versus a traditional liberal arts core.
By the numbers The AdmitQuant data shows remarkable parity. Selectivity is nearly identical (Penn 5% vs. Yale 4% acceptance), with Penn's SAT 25-75th percentile range (1510–1570) starting slightly higher than Yale's (1470–1570). Outcomes diverge: Penn's 10-year median earnings are $111k versus Yale's $101k, but Yale's lower average net price ($24k vs. Penn's $29k) gives it a slight edge in calculated value (4.2x vs. 3.9x earnings per dollar of net price). Both are engines of economic mobility (Penn 205%, Yale 208%) and share top-tier financial health (DOE score 3.0/3). Yale distinguishes itself with a higher future-scholar yield (8.4 for Science & Engineering PhDs).
Where they overlap Both are elite, urban Ivy League institutions with exceptional graduation rates (Penn 97%, Yale 96%) and similarly robust financial foundations. They offer world-class resources and proven success in fostering upward mobility.
How they differ Culturally, they represent two distinct Ivy League models. Penn is described as faster-paced, stratified by its undergraduate schools, and intensely pre-professional, with a strong focus on business and entrepreneurship. Yale’s culture is more centered on its residential college system and a traditional liberal arts and sciences ethos, set in a campus with a strong sense of history within its urban New Haven setting.
Who each suits Penn suits the driven, entrepreneurial student who thrives in a competitive, career-oriented environment and wants immediate access to a major city's professional opportunities. Yale is ideal for the student who values a cohesive residential college experience, a slightly less pressured daily pace, and an intellectual culture rooted in the liberal arts, even while pursuing STEM or other fields. The choice hinges entirely on which educational environment and campus personality will best foster the student's growth.
Editorial overview — a qualitative summary of culture and fit, reviewed for accuracy. Not a ranking or a guarantee.
Quick answers
- Is University of Pennsylvania or Yale University harder to get into?
- Yale University is more selective: University of Pennsylvania's acceptance rate is approximately 5% and Yale University's is approximately 4% (estimates from public and primary sources).
- What SAT score do you need for University of Pennsylvania vs Yale University?
- The middle-50% SAT range is 1510–1570 at University of Pennsylvania and 1470–1570 at Yale University. Scores outside these bands are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
Figures are estimates compiled from public datasets (College Scorecard / IPEDS) and primary sources; verify with each institution before relying on them.
These outputs are estimates from a baseline model — not guarantees of admission, cost, or outcome.