Temple University combines accessible admission with excellent economic mobility outcomes. As an Opportunity Builder institution, the university produces $7,983 in earnings beyond expectations while serving diverse student populations including 30.1% Pell-eligible and 29.6% first-generation students.
With strong outcomes, driven by solid long-term earnings relative to educational investment
As modestly below average, reflecting higher-than-typical net prices despite the public status
With strong performance, indicating above-average enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With excellent performance, reflecting the university's ability to support economic advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisTemple University demonstrates strong return on investment through controlled debt levels combined with solid earnings growth. Graduates earn $63,727 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 79th percentile nationally.
The university generates $7,983 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 81.6th percentile on this value-added measure. Low-income graduates earn $65,100, indicating particularly strong outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Students seeking strong post-graduation outcomes at an accessible urban public university. Well-suited for diverse students including first-generation learners who want comprehensive program options in business, technology, and health fields with manageable debt levels and proven economic mobility.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the Temple University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/temple-university/analysis.
Excellent mobility performance at 96.9th percentile
Temple University leads with excellent mobility performance, ranking in the top-tier nationally at the 96.9th percentile. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large public research university maintains an open access admission rate of 82.9% while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
Temple enrolls 30.1% Pell-eligible students and 29.6% first-generation students, demonstrating significant commitment to educational access. The university accepts 21.9% transfer students, providing pathways for diverse educational backgrounds.
Graduates earn $7,983 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 81.6th percentile nationally. Median earnings reach $63,727 ten years after enrollment, placing Temple in the 79th percentile for long-term earnings.
Compared to a peer median of $60,543, graduates earn $3,184 more annually. This combination of accessible admission, above-average diversity, and strong economic outcomes positions Temple University as an Opportunity Builder, where institutions serve diverse student populations while maintaining solid career preparation.
Temple University admits approximately 82.9% of applicants, meaning roughly 5 in 6 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Temple in the Open Access category, making it significantly more accessible than highly selective institutions.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% shows Temple accepts slightly more students than typical institutions of similar size and type. This level of accessibility means qualified students can approach Temple with reasonable confidence about admission prospects, though meeting academic standards remains important.
The university's open access approach aligns with its mission to serve diverse student populations, including first-generation and transfer students. For prospective students, this admission rate indicates Temple should be considered a match school for students with solid academic preparation rather than a reach institution.
Students should focus on demonstrating academic readiness and program fit rather than viewing admission as highly competitive. The accessible admission standards support Temple's role in providing educational opportunity while maintaining quality outcomes.
This combination makes Temple particularly attractive for students seeking strong post-graduation results without extremely competitive admission pressures.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Temple University's published cost of attendance reaches $39,799 annually, including $37,462 in out-of-state tuition, $16,968 for room and board, and $1,240 for books and supplies. Pennsylvania residents pay $22,082 in-state tuition, creating a substantial $15,380 difference between resident and non-resident rates.
However, the average student pays $29,219 after financial aid, representing savings of $10,580 from the sticker price. This net price of $29,219 exceeds the peer median of $15,590 by $13,629, positioning Temple as more expensive than typical public institutions of similar characteristics.
The higher-than-peer net price reflects Temple's urban location and comprehensive programming but creates affordability challenges for middle-income families. Students should carefully evaluate the cost-benefit relationship, considering Temple's strong earnings outcomes of $63,727 median income ten years after graduation.
The substantial price difference between resident and non-resident rates makes Temple particularly attractive for Pennsylvania students while potentially limiting appeal for out-of-state applicants. Families should utilize Temple's net price calculator to understand their specific expected costs based on income and financial circumstances.
Temple University graduates demonstrate consistent earnings progression over time. Median earnings rise from $50,860 six years after enrollment to $59,076 at eight years and $63,727 at ten years, representing 25.3% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on robust cohort sizes of 8,342 graduates at six years, 9,031 at eight years, and 9,211 at ten years, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $7,983 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Temple in the 81.6th percentile for earnings uplift.
This value-added performance indicates the university's effectiveness in supporting student success beyond what demographics alone would predict. Low-income graduates earn $65,100, demonstrating strong outcomes across economic backgrounds.
The earnings distribution from $40,592 to $91,581 reflects the breadth of academic programs and career pathways available. Compared to peer institutions with similar characteristics, Temple graduates earn $3,184 more annually.
Approximately 25.3% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, showing the university's dual strength in workforce preparation and academic foundation for advanced degrees.
Artificial Intelligence.
353 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
84 graduates
Actuarial Science.
61 graduates
Mathematics and Computer Science.
27 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
110 graduates
Temple University offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive outcome tracking. Artificial Intelligence ranks #35 nationally and #3 in Pennsylvania, producing 353 graduates with median earnings of $90,875 and a value score of 83.1, making it one of the university's flagship programs.
Insurance ranks #4 nationally and #1 in Pennsylvania, graduating 161 students with median earnings of $78,623. Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #91 nationally and #5 in Pennsylvania, with 375 graduates earning $70,603.
Exercise Science and Kinesiology ranks #58 nationally and #2 in Pennsylvania, graduating 346 students with median earnings of $52,232. Advertising ranks #19 nationally and #1 in Pennsylvania, with 314 graduates earning $53,863.
Biology, General ranks #62 nationally and #4 in Pennsylvania, graduating 261 students with median earnings of $59,912. The university demonstrates particular strength in business-related disciplines, with multiple programs ranking in the top tier within Pennsylvania.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Virginia-Main Campus Similar quality tier (#121 ranked) | VA | 17% | $86,863 | #121 | Compare |
University Of Georgia Similar quality tier (#115 ranked) | GA | 37% | $68,726 | #115 | Compare |
University Of Massachusetts-Boston Similar quality tier in Northeast (#114 ranked) | MA | 83% | $65,865 | #114 | Compare |
University Of Connecticut Similar quality tier in Northeast (#112 ranked) | CT | 54% | $73,997 | #112 | Compare |
Wayne State University Similar quality tier (#111 ranked) | MI | 82% | $53,493 | #111 | Compare |