University of Pennsylvania

One of the oldest universities in America and, as a member of the Ivy League, one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in all the world.

Dean

Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel

Academic staff

20,000 - 50,000

Students

22423

Locations

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Afiliations

The Ivy League, The Association of American Universities (AAU), The Penn Museum (University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology)

Address

3451 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6303, US

Social Media

URL

https://www.upenn.edu/

Summary

The University of Pennsylvania, commonly known as Penn or UPenn, is a private Ivy League research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin, one of America's founding fathers and a renowned scientist, inventor, and statesman. Today, Penn is one of the world's leading universities, known for its rigorous academic programs, cutting-edge research, and commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship.

Penn is home to 12 undergraduate and graduate schools, including the renowned Wharton School of Business, the Perelman School of Medicine, and the School of Engineering and Applied Science. The university offers over 90 majors across a wide range of disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. Students at Penn benefit from a diverse and vibrant academic community, with opportunities to collaborate with leading scholars and researchers from around the world.

In addition to its academic programs, Penn is also known for its commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. The university is home to numerous centers and institutes focused on research and innovation, including the Penn Center for Innovation, which supports the commercialization of research discoveries and technology licensing. Penn also offers a range of programs and resources for entrepreneurs and startups, including the Pennovation Works innovation center and the Penn Wharton Entrepreneurship Program.

Since its founding, Penn alumni, trustees, and faculty have included eight signers of the Declaration of Independence, seven signers of the U.S. Constitution, two Presidents of the United States, three U.S. Supreme Court justices, 32 U.S. senators, 163 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, 12 U.S. Cabinet Secretaries, 46 governors, 27 State Supreme Court justices, and nine foreign heads of state. Alumni and faculty include 36 Nobel laureates. Penn has graduated 24 Rhodes Scholars and 21 Marshall Scholars. Penn alumni have won 28 Tony Awards, 16 Grammy Awards, 11 Emmy Awards, and four Academy Awards, and include one of only 17 people who have earned all four awards, known as an EGOT. Penn has the largest number of alumni on the Forbes 400 list of the wealthiest Americans out of all colleges and has the greatest number of undergraduate billionaire alumni of all colleges, with 64 living billionaires, 28 of whom are alumni of Penn's undergraduate schools. Penn alumni have won 81 Olympic medals, including 26 gold medals. Two Penn alumni have been NASA astronauts and five have been awarded the Medal of Honor.

History

The University of Pennsylvania, also known as Penn, was founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States. Franklin saw the need for a college that would provide a practical education to prepare students for success in business, government, and other professions. With this in mind, he established the Academy of Philadelphia, which would later become the University of Pennsylvania.

In the early years of the Academy, the curriculum focused on classical languages, literature, and philosophy. However, Franklin also recognized the importance of practical education, and he introduced courses in mathematics, science, and modern languages. Over time, the Academy expanded its offerings to include a wide range of academic disciplines, and it became a leading institution of higher learning in the United States. By the end of the 18th century, the University of Pennsylvania had produced numerous distinguished graduates, including signers of the Declaration of Independence and leaders in business, government, and other fields.

In 1801, the Academy of Philadelphia officially became the University of Pennsylvania, and it continued to expand its academic offerings throughout the 19th century. Under the leadership of its first president, John Andrews, the university added new schools and departments, including the School of Law, the School of Medicine, and the School of Engineering and Applied Science. The university also became a center for scientific research and innovation, with pioneering work in fields such as medicine, chemistry, and engineering.

In the latter half of the 19th century, the University of Pennsylvania continued to grow and evolve. The university's medical school became one of the leading institutions of its kind in the world, and its faculty and alumni made important contributions to the field of medicine, including the development of the first successful vaccine for yellow fever. The university also played a key role in the development of the field of business education, with the establishment of the Wharton School of Business in 1881. By the end of the 19th century, the University of Pennsylvania had established itself as one of the world's leading institutions of higher learning, known for its academic excellence, research innovation, and commitment to practical education.

In the early 20th century, the University of Pennsylvania continued to grow and expand its academic offerings. The university established new departments and schools, including the School of Education and the School of Social Work, and it continued to innovate in fields such as medicine, engineering, and business. During World War II, the university played a key role in military research and development, and its faculty and alumni contributed to important scientific and technological advancements.

In the 21st century, the University of Pennsylvania has continued to build on its legacy of academic excellence, research innovation, and commitment to practical education. The university has established new interdisciplinary programs and centers, and it has expanded its global footprint through partnerships with institutions around the world. The university has also continued to innovate in fields such as medicine, engineering, and business, and it has embraced new technologies and modes of learning to enhance the student experience.

In recent years, the University of Pennsylvania has prioritized sustainability and social impact, launching initiatives and programs aimed at addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges. The university has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2042, and it has established new programs focused on issues such as climate change, social justice, and global health. Through these efforts, the University of Pennsylvania has reaffirmed its commitment to using its resources and expertise to make a positive difference in the world.

Courses

Wharton School of Business: The Wharton School is one of the world's leading business schools, offering undergraduate, MBA, Executive MBA, and PhD programs in business and management. Areas of study include accounting, finance, marketing, operations, and real estate, among others.

Perelman School of Medicine: The Perelman School of Medicine offers medical education and research programs, including MD, PhD, and postdoctoral programs. The school is known for its research in areas such as cancer, genetics, and neuroscience.

School of Engineering and Applied Science: The School of Engineering and Applied Science offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in fields such as bioengineering, computer and information science, electrical and systems engineering, and materials science and engineering.

School of Arts and Sciences: The School of Arts and Sciences offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of fields, including anthropology, biology, chemistry, history, mathematics, physics, political science, psychology, and sociology.

Graduate School of Education: The Graduate School of Education offers master's and doctoral programs in education, including programs focused on teaching and learning, higher education, and education policy.

School of Social Policy and Practice: The School of Social Policy and Practice offers master's and doctoral programs in social work, social policy, and nonprofit leadership.

School of Law: The School of Law offers Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LLM), and Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) programs, as well as joint degree programs with other schools at the university.

School of Design: The School of Design offers undergraduate and graduate programs in architecture, city and regional planning, fine arts, landscape architecture, and urban spatial analytics.

School of Nursing: The School of Nursing offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in nursing, including programs focused on nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and nursing leadership.

Global MBA rankings

Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2022: #1
QS Global MBA Rankings 2022: #3
The Economist MBA Rankings 2021: #2
Bloomberg Businessweek Best Business Schools 2021-2022: #1
Forbes MBA Rankings 2021: #4

Job integration rate

According to the Wharton School's MBA Career Report for the Class of 2020, 96.1% of graduates had job offers within three months of graduation, with a median base salary of $150,000.