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Last updated: May 31, 2026

University of Pennsylvania

United States · Philadelphia

University of Pennsylvania

Private School
United States
Country
Philadelphia
City
29109
Total Students
Private
Status
About the University

University of Pennsylvania overview

Penn, also known as the University of Pennsylvania, is an Ivy League research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Benjamin Franklin, one of America's founding leaders, established it in 1740. Penn is one of the earliest institutions of higher education in the United States and is renowned for its emphasis on both teaching and research. Numerous notable figures from diverse disciplines, including politics, commerce, science, and the arts, are among Penn's alumni.

Penn's 12 colleges offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. The university's professional institutions, including the Wharton School (1881's first collegiate business school), the School of Nursing, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the Perelman School of Medicine, are particularly renowned. Penn is recognized for its emphasis on interdisciplinary education. The university encourages students to take courses from a variety of disciplines and institutions.

Penn's urban campus in Philadelphia's University City neighborhood is a lively place with a blend of historic and contemporary architecture, numerous libraries, research centers, and student lodging facilities. Penn has more than 450 student societies and organizations encompassing a broad spectrum of interests, including academics, the arts, culture, athletics, and more. Additionally, the university provides a variety of student support services, including academic advising, career services, and wellness resources.

Penn is a member of the Ivy League and has a long history of excellence in varsity athletics, intramural sports, and physical education. Each year, the Penn Relays, one of the most prestigious track and field competitions in the United States, is conducted at Franklin Field. Numerous traditions contribute to Penn's distinctive culture. For instance, "Hey Day" is an annual spring event that signifies the transition from junior to senior status.

About the University

About University of Pennsylvania

Penn, also known as the University of Pennsylvania, is an Ivy League research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Benjamin Franklin, one of America's founding leaders, established it in 1740. Penn is one of the earliest institutions of higher education in the United States and is renowned for its emphasis on both teaching and research. Numerous notable figures from diverse disciplines, including politics, commerce, science, and the arts, are among Penn's alumni.

Penn's 12 colleges offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. The university's professional institutions, including the Wharton School (1881's first collegiate business school), the School of Nursing, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the Perelman School of Medicine, are particularly renowned. Penn is recognized for its emphasis on interdisciplinary education. The university encourages students to take courses from a variety of disciplines and institutions.

Penn's urban campus in Philadelphia's University City neighborhood is a lively place with a blend of historic and contemporary architecture, numerous libraries, research centers, and student lodging facilities. Penn has more than 450 student societies and organizations encompassing a broad spectrum of interests, including academics, the arts, culture, athletics, and more. Additionally, the university provides a variety of student support services, including academic advising, career services, and wellness resources.

Penn is a member of the Ivy League and has a long history of excellence in varsity athletics, intramural sports, and physical education. Each year, the Penn Relays, one of the most prestigious track and field competitions in the United States, is conducted at Franklin Field. Numerous traditions contribute to Penn's distinctive culture. For instance, "Hey Day" is an annual spring event that signifies the transition from junior to senior status.

City
Philadelphia
Country
United States
Type
Private
Number of Students
29109
#14
Times Universities
#15
QS World
#7
National Ranking
92
Quality Score
#14
Shanghai List
Faculties & Programs

University of Pennsylvania faculties and programs

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Campus

Take a closer look at University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania's urban campus is located in the University City section of West Philadelphia, providing a rich, interactive environment for its students. The campus is known for its historical architecture mixed with modern facilities, beautiful landscaping, and accessibility to downtown Philadelphia.

The University of Pennsylvania campus beautifully blends historic and modern architecture. It includes the Fisher Fine Arts Library, a National Historic Landmark, and the modern Singh Center for Nanotechnology. The university's College Hall, built in 1871, is one of the oldest structures on campus. Penn's campus has a number of green spaces, including College Green, which is often bustling with students studying or relaxing. Locust Walk, a tree-lined pathway that runs through the heart of the campus, is a popular spot for student organizations to promote their activities.

The university has several libraries with extensive collections. The Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center is the main library on campus. The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (commonly called the Penn Museum) houses an extensive collection of artifacts from around the world. The campus includes Franklin Field, one of the oldest stadium facilities in the country, and the Palestra, a historic arena that hosts basketball games.

The university has several college houses, which serve as living-learning communities for undergraduate students. This is a group of buildings on the campus that provide space for student activities, events, and services. Houston Hall, located in the Perelman Quadrangle, is America's first student union building. The campus is home to a variety of public art, including the LOVE sculpture and the Benjamin Franklin statue in front of College Hall.

Campus Life

Penn, also known as the University of Pennsylvania, provides students with numerous opportunities for social engagement, personal development, and academic enrichment. Penn has more than 450 registered student organizations representing a variety of academic, cultural, performing arts, professional, political, recreational, religious, service, and athletic interests.

Numerous fraternities and sororities comprise a substantial Greek community at Penn. The majority of first-year students reside in one of the campus' College Houses, which are designed to incorporate living and learning experiences. After the first year, students have the option of relocating to the University City neighborhood. Numerous dining facilities, cafés, and food carts are dispersed across Penn's campus, offering a variety of dining alternatives. The culinary services provide a variety of menu arrangements to meet various dietary requirements.

Penn is a member of the Ivy League, and students compete in numerous varsity athletics. In addition to club and intramural athletics, the university offers fitness and wellness programs. HeyDay (when juniors become seniors), Spring Fling (a weekend of concerts and festivities), and Throwdown (a large culinary competition between college dormitories) are long-standing Penn traditions. Numerous theater productions, dance performances, a cappella concerts, and other events take place at Penn throughout the year, creating a thriving performing arts scene.

Penn provides a variety of support services to ensure the success and well-being of its students. This includes academic assistance, career services, counseling and psychological services, and multicultural resource centers, among others. Penn's urban location gives students access to the cultural, historical, and social opportunities of Philadelphia. Numerous students investigate the city's institutions, attend concerts, appreciate the local culinary scene, and engage in community service in the city.

Student Profile

Since the day it was established, University of Pennsylvania has produced alumni who have made creative and significant contributions to society, the arts and sciences, business, and national and international affairs. Notable alumni of University of Pennsylvania include;

  • Abby Huntsman
  • Ahmed Zewail
  • Ahn Cheol-soo
  • Alice Paul
  • Andrea Mitchell
  • Beau Biden
  • Becki Newton
  • Bobby Troup
  • Bruce Dern
  • Candice Bergen
  • Charles Addams
  • Dick Wolf
  • Donald Trump
  • Elizabeth Banks
  • Elon Musk
  • Ezra Pound
  • Finnegan Biden
  • Gloria Allred
  • I. M. Pei
  • John Doman
  • John Legend
  • John Sculley
  • Jonathan Haidt
  • Ken Olin
  • Laurene Powell Jobs
  • Lia Thomas
  • Lynn Toler
  • Martin Seligman
  • Maury Povich
  • Mehmet Oz
  • Melissa Rivers
  • Naomi Biden
  • Nikki Giovanni
  • Noah Schnapp
  • Noam Chomsky
  • Rebecca Rittenhouse
  • Selçuk Bayraktar
  • Shakira
  • Steve Wynn
  • Sundar Pichai
  • Tiffany Trump
  • Tory Burch
  • Vanessa Bayer
  • Warren Buffett
  • William Henry Harrison
  • Yakov Smirnoff
  • Zahi Hawass
Living

University of Pennsylvania cost of living

Achievements

University of Pennsylvania awards and achievements

  • 36 Nobel Laureates 
  • 24 Rhodes Scholars 
  • 21 Marshall Scholars
  • 2 NASA Astronauts 
  • 5 Medal of Honor Recipients
  • 8 Signers of the Declaration of Independence 
  • 7 signers of the U.S. Constitution 
  • 2 Presidents of the United States
  • 3 U.S. Supreme Court Justices 
  • 32 U.S. Senators 
  • 163 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives
  • 12 U.S. Cabinet Secretaries 
  • 46 Governors 
  • 27 State Supreme Court Justices
  • 9 Foreign Heads of State
  • 28 Tony Award Winners 
  • 16 Grammy Award Winners 
  • 11 Emmy Award Winners 
  • 4 Academy Award Winners
  • 81 Olympic Medallists

University of Pennsylvania Frequently Asked Questions

University of Pennsylvania Location

Philadelphia, United States

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Why University of Pennsylvania?

Located in Philadelphia, United States, University of Pennsylvania is known for its academic excellence, distinguished faculty, and remarkably rich history.

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