University of Pennsylvania

Academic Highlights

  • Penn has four undergraduate schools - College of Arts & Sciences, School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Wharton School, and the School of Nursing - that each offer unique opportunities, all on one campus. As an applicant, you'll choose one of these schools (or a coordinated dual-degree program) to serve as your academic home base, but you'll never be limited to just one area of study.

  • There are close to 90 majors, along with an extensive array of minors, as well as coordinated dual-degree, accelerated, and specialized programs available to you.

  • 75% of undergraduate classes have 39 or fewer students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 8:1, including only faculty who teach undergraduates.

  • The College of Arts & Sciences is home to roughly 65% of Penn’s undergraduates. The College's flexible curriculum provides students with an academic framework for becoming educated and successful citizens of the 21st century. It's designed to inspire curiosity and frame opportunities while drawing students toward two distinct goals: general education across the wide range of the arts and sciences and specialized education in a major. The College offers over 50 majors spanning the humanities (history, literature, philosophy, foreign language, fine arts, etc.), the social sciences (economics, political science, sociology, anthropology, international relations, etc.), the physical and life sciences (chemistry, physics, biology, biochemistry, earth science, etc.), and much more.

  • The School of Engineering and Applied Science is a pioneer in interdisciplinary education, allowing students the flexibility to craft a program that suits their individual interests, career, or graduate education plans. Both Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) and Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degrees are offered, along with specialized dual-degree programs and an array of majors and minors across eight departments.

  • At the Wharton School, students gain knowledge and experience to become a leader in business and make a positive impact on today's challenging economic and social issues. From the study of financial concepts to an in-depth understanding of organizational management and more, you will learn how to solve problems for an industry, for any country, and in any career you choose.

  • The School of Nursing offers a state-of-the-art, science-based education that leads to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree. Penn Nursing students are some of the best and brightest in the world. They engage in and out of the classroom through a curriculum that includes mentorship, community involvement, and hands-on clinical rotations in renowned teaching hospitals. This all leads to a job and graduate school placement rate second to none. 

  • The SNF Paideia Program contributes to the holistic education of Penn undergraduates through a combination of courses, public events and workshops, all focused on wellness, service and citizenship.