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Texas A&M University vs University of Pennsylvania

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

63.0% Texas A&M acceptance
5.4% UPenn acceptance
$115,908 Texas A&M cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

Texas A&M
College Station, Texas
Public
Founded
1876
Enrollment
74,829
Setting
Suburban
UPenn
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Private
Founded
1740
Enrollment
28,304
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition Texas A&M saves $23,365
Texas A&M
$40,087
UPenn
$63,452
Acceptance Rate UPenn more selective
Texas A&M
63.0%
UPenn
5.4%
Graduation Rate UPenn higher
Texas A&M
83%
UPenn
96%
Avg SAT Score UPenn higher
Texas A&M
1290
UPenn
1530
Starting Salary UPenn higher
Texas A&M
$66,300
UPenn
$92,800

Detailed Comparison

Metric Texas A&M UPenn Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$40,087$63,452Texas A&M
Tuition (In-State)$12,413$63,452Texas A&M
Room & Board$12,938$18,550Texas A&M
Acceptance Rate63.0%5.4%UPenn
Graduation Rate83%96%UPenn
Average SAT12901530UPenn
Student-Faculty Ratio19:16:1UPenn
Enrollment74,82928,304-
Avg Financial Aid$13,700$54,060UPenn
Starting Salary$66,300$92,800UPenn
Endowment$17.1B$20.5BUPenn
Campus Size5,200 acres299 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

Texas A&M
$212,100
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
UPenn
$328,008
4-year total (private)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: Texas A&M = $157,300 | UPenn = $111,768. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

Texas A&M Top Majors

EngineeringBusinessBiologyAgricultureBiomedical Science

UPenn Top Majors

FinanceEconomicsNursingComputer ScienceBiology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
Texas A&MSuburban
UPennUrban
Campus Size
Texas A&M5,200 ac
UPenn299 ac
Athletics
Texas A&MNCAA D1
UPennNCAA D1
Region
Texas A&MSouth
UPennNortheast
Founded
Texas A&M1876
UPenn1740
Enrollment
Texas A&M74,829
UPenn28,304

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Texas A&M or UPenn harder to get into?+
UPenn is more selective with an acceptance rate of 5.4% compared to 63.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, Texas A&M or UPenn?+
At sticker price, Texas A&M costs less over 4 years ($212,100 vs $328,008). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. Texas A&M offers an average of $13,700/year in aid while UPenn offers $54,060/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for Texas A&M and UPenn?+
The average SAT score at Texas A&M is 1290 and at UPenn it is 1530. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do Texas A&M or UPenn graduates earn more?+
Graduates of UPenn have a higher average starting salary ($92,800 vs $66,300). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
Texas A&M has a 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio while UPenn has 6:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do Texas A&M and UPenn compare for campus life?+
Texas A&M is located in College Station, Texas (suburban setting) with a 5,200-acre campus. UPenn is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (urban setting) with 299 acres. Texas A&M competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UPenn in NCAA D1.