University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), based in Philadelphia, is a private research university with approximately 23,000 students. It stands out for its Wharton School of Business, with robust programs in Medicine, Law, Engineering, and Social Sciences. It is very selective in admissions, with an acceptance rate of approximately 6%. UPenn's graduation rate is extremely high at around 96%, and its graduates have average starting salaries of USD $75,000–85,000 (INR 62–70 lakhs) per year, with Wharton graduates typically earning more.
Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York, is a private research university, with about 25,000 students. It is recognized for its exclusive combination of Ivy League reputation and land-grant mandate, Cornell leads in courses like Engineering, Hotel Administration, Agriculture, Business, Computer Science, and Law. The admissions too are very competitive, with an average acceptance rate of around 8.4%. The graduate rate is around 95%, and the Cornell graduates receive average starting salaries of USD $70,000–80,000 (INR 58–66 lakhs) per annum, based on the course.
| University of Pennsylvania | Cornell University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 7.9 Out of 10 | 7.9 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 14 Times Higher Education 2026 # 15 QS World University 2026 # 7 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 16 QS World University 2026 # 18 Times Higher Education 2026 # 14 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 17 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 27 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 13 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 | # 12 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 15 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 31 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -63 PG Programs -71 Doctorate Programs -15 | UG Programs -64 PG Programs -70 Doctorate Programs -78 |
| Acceptance Rate | 5.0 % | 8.0 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-120 GMAT-690 GRE-308 IELTS-6.5 TOEFL-80 | GMAT-720 IELTS-7.5 TOEFL-100 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 53166 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 56786 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 18966 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 96268 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 54198 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 44182 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | University of Pennsylvania is one of the top private universities in Philadelphia, United States. It is ranked #13 in QS World University Rankings 2023. Average Salaries by Degree:
| Cornell University is one of the top private universities in Ithaca, United States. It is ranked #20 in QS World University Rankings 2023.
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| application requirements | Academic transcripts; Proof of English language proficiency; 2-3 LORs; SOPs; Resume; Personal Statement; Standardized test scores; Additional requirements (Digital portfolios, Writing samples, Research statements, etc.); Interviews (if required). | Counselor recommendation, teacher evaluation, and midyear evaluations are mandatory along with the applications. |
| Campuses and B-Schools | The Wharton School | Johnson Graduate School of Management |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.8/10 Read 6 reviews | 7.7/10 Read 11 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 1 for Business by US News 2025 # 9 for Business by QS World University 2025 # 13 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 18 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 37 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 130/160GMAT - 735/800GRE - 325/340IELTS - 7.0/9TOEFL - 100/120 | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 7.0/9TOEFL - 4.0/6 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Jan 6, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Feb 20, 2026 (Round 2 Interview Invitations for 2026 Intake) Mar 31, 2026 (Round 2 Decisions for 2026 Intake) Apr 1, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Apr 17, 2026 (Round 3 Interview Invitations for 2026 Intake) May 12, 2026 (Round 3 Decisions for 2026 Intake) | Sep 17, 2025 (Application Deadline For Round 1 2026 Intake) Jan 8, 2026 (Application Deadline For Round 2 2026 Intake) Apr 7, 2026 (Application Deadline For Round 3 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Pennsylvania | Cornell University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1740 | 1865 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 8:1:1 | 9:1 |
| Male:Female | 46% Male, 0% Female | 48% Male, 52% Female |
| Library | 6.67 million printed book volumes; 4.26 million microform items; 282,857 serials received; 2.01 million e-books; 279,206 e-journals; 4.31 million digitized images; 358,740 audio/video tapes, CDs, and DVDs. | 11th largest library in USA; Over 8 million printed volumes, 1 million ebooks, 120,000 periodical titles, 8.5 million microfilms and microfiches, 71,000 cubic feet of manuscripts, 500,000 other materials such as motion pictures, sound recordings, etc. |
| Campus Life | 165 Research centers; Double decker college football stadium; 450+ student organizations; Penn Museum & other galleries; Penn Relays Carnivals (longest uninterrupted collegiate track meet in America with 100,000 spectators yearly); PennRec (offers activities such as yoga, fitness classes, sports clubs, outdoor adventures, etc.); hundreds of retail shops, restaurants, etc.; Vending activities (includes 90 trucks, carts, & tables); University media including news & media (Almanac, Penn Today, Daily Pennsylvanian), communications (WQHS, WXPN 88.5 FM, etc.). | Over 1,000 student organizations; awards and funding by Student and Campus Life (SCL) such as Cornell Commitment, Public Service Center, Cornell Career Services, Merrill Presidential Scholars Program, etc. |
| Hostel | #Rooms - $12978 | #Triple Room - $11312 #Double Room - $12296 #Single Room - $13246 |
| Famous Alumni | 36 Nobel laureates; 29 Rhodes Scholars; 16 Pulitzer Prize winners; Elon Musk (CEO of SpaceX); Warren Buffet (CEO of Berkshire Hathaway); John Legend (American singer-songwriter); Ivanka Trump (American businesswoman); Tory Burch (American fashion designer); Donald Trump (45th President of USA); Anand Ahuja (Businessperson); Shweta Bachchan-Nanda (Indian author); Sundar Pichai (CEO of Alphabet Inc. & Google LLC); | Tsai Ing-wen (first female president of Taiwan), David Starr Jordan (founding president of Stanford University), Ratan Tata (CEO of Tata Group), Toni Morrison (Nobel laureate), Junot Diaz (Pulitzer Prize winner) |
| City Life | Philadelphia- largest city in Pennsylvania; 6th most populous city in USA; Famous tourist attractions include Liberty Bell Pavilion, Independence Hall, Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia Museum of Arts, Reading Terminal Market, Barnes Foundation, Fairmount Park, City Hall, etc.; Birthplace of US Marine Corps, several firsts in USA such as library, hospital, medical school, zoo, business school, etc.; Unemployment rate- 4.5% | New York was ranked 34th in USA for economic growth and contributes over 8% to GDP. Financial activities, professional & business services, transportation, trade & utilities are the top contributors. |
| Weather |
University of Pennsylvania vs Cornell University
Topic Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Both UPenn and Cornell are Ivy League institutions with good worldwide reputations. University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) is ranked about 15 in QS 2026 and leads in Business, Economics, Law, Medicine, and Social Sciences. Cornell University is ranked about 16 in QS 2026, having premier strengths in Engineering, Computer Science, Agriculture, Architecture, Business, and Life Sciences. Cornell is wider in STEM and applied sciences, whereas UPenn is superior in business (Wharton), law, and healthcare sciences.
General Information
UPenn, established in 1740 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is an Ivy League private research university with ~23,000 students that unites professional schools with solid liberal arts and business programs. Cornell, established in 1865 in Ithaca, New York, is a private Ivy League land-grant mission university with ~25,000 students and is unique for its union of prestigious private programs with public colleges (e.g., Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine).
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Both are very selective, with 7–8% acceptance rates. UPenn is most competitive for Wharton (Business), Law, and Medicine, whereas Cornell is selective in Engineering, Computer Science, and Architecture. Both emphasize strong academics, extracurricular activities, and leadership.
Research Impact & Facilities
With prestigious institutions like the Wharton School and Perelman School of Medicine, UPenn is a research powerhouse, especially in the fields of business, law, health, and social sciences. With resources like the Cornell Tech campus in New York City and extensive agricultural research stations, Cornell is also a research-focused university, particularly in the fields of engineering, agriculture, veterinary medicine, and technology.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both are expensive and private, costing around $65,000 a year in tuition. Both of them, however, offer need-blind admissions to domestic students, excellent need-based financial aid, and aid for international students.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
UPenn graduates excel in finance, consulting, law, medicine, and politics with the backing of the influential Wharton network. Cornell graduates excel in STEM, engineering, agriculture, architecture, business, and research from its huge worldwide alumni network and industry connections.
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