Explore alternatives based on outcomes, location, cost, and admission difficulty
Given Penn's 5.9% acceptance rate, most applicants—even highly qualified ones—will need alternative options. The schools below deliver comparable career outcomes with more accessible admission, different geographic options, or better affordability.
These schools offer higher acceptance rates while delivering comparable career outcomes.
For similar outcomes with better admission prospects, consider Lehigh University (29.3% acceptance, $105,584 median earnings) just 46 miles from Penn. Villanova University admits 25.1% of applicants while producing graduates earning $100,423, located only 10 miles away. Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey admits 43.4% of applicants with graduates earning $108,772, offering strong technical programs with far more realistic admission odds.
Strong options in the same region with comparable academic profiles.
Students preferring to stay in Pennsylvania should consider Lehigh University (29.3% acceptance, $105,584 earnings) 46 miles north in Bethlehem. Villanova University offers Catholic liberal arts education 10 miles away with 25.1% acceptance and $100,423 median earnings. Lafayette College in Easton provides a smaller liberal arts environment 52 miles away with 31.5% acceptance, though earnings average $91,410.
Elite universities with similar prestige and academic caliber
Similar quality tier (#72 ranked)
