Skip to content

College Comparison

University of Pennsylvania vs University of Denver: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

School

University of Denver

Denver, CO

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricUPennUniversity of Denver
Acceptance Rate5.9%wins71.2%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1500–1570wins1240–1410
ACT Range (25th–75th)34–35wins29–32
Tuition (Out-of-State)$66,104$59,340wins
Avg Net Price$31,229wins$36,037
Median Earnings (10 yr)$111,371wins$71,155
Graduation Rate96.8%wins78.0%
Retention Rate98.1%wins87.7%
Student–Faculty Ratio8:1wins10:1
Total Enrollment10,768wins6,059

Verdict

Based on the data above, UPenn edges out University of Denver on 9 of 10 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

UPenn Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 5.9%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1500–1570
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 34–35
  • Avg Net Price: $31,229

University of Denver Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $59,340

Want a deeper comparison?

Our interactive compare tool lets you add more schools, filter by major, and see financial aid breakdowns by income level.

Open Compare Tool

Related Comparisons