Philadelphia is the second-largest city on the East Coast and the fifth-largest in the nation. Its history stretches back to 1682 when the city was the centre of the American Revolution. Later on, it served as the cradle of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Remarkably, despite boasting a population exceeding 1.5 million, Philadelphia retains a spacious and uncrowded feel. This off-beat characteristic of the city stems from William Penn, who designated green spaces throughout the city. Philly’s blocks are lush parks adorned with landscaping, benches, public art and a welcome escape from the urban bustle.
Currently, 67% of Philadelphians aged 25 or older hold at least a bachelor's degree. The universities of Drexel and Penn State record 11,000 and 3,500 students coming to study in Philadelphia. One notable observation has been that they move here to dive deep into the STEM fields such as science, technology, engineering and math. These 89 colleges and universities constitute 16% of awarded degrees. The private and public universities in Philadelphia have increased the perfection of the city.
Why Study In Philadelphia?
The city records 40,000 students who study in prestigious institutions like the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University and others. They are known to create an academically enriching environment for students. The below segment talks about 4 reasons why study in Philadelphia is most preferred:
- Old & Historic
In Philadelphia, students are a huge part of the American history. "America's Most Historic Mile" offers a firsthand experience of the nation's past in Philadelphia. Adjacent to this historic marvel is where Philly's art scene comes alive every "First Friday" of the month which is a spectacle not to be missed.
- South Street/Penn’s Landing
South Street's 11 blocks of eclectic shops, galleries, restaurants and clubs create a lively student community in Philly. Often referred to as "the hippest street in town," South Street leads to Penn's Landing. This is a waterfront park hosting over 70 free outdoor events and concerts annually.
- University City
The University City has tree-lined streets and historic homes. Often likened to the Harvard Square of the Mid-Atlantic, it features cultural gems like the Institute of Contemporary Art and dining establishments like Pod and The White Dog Café.
- Italian Market & South Philly
The Italian Market dates back to the mid-1800s and is known as "the world's largest outdoor market,". International students frequent this area for authentic Italian meals, refreshing "water ice," and to soak up the South Philly atmosphere. For the quintessential Philly food experience, head to 9th and Passyunk for the iconic cheesesteak.
Top Universities And Global Ranking
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Philadelphia, United States
Cost Of Living
$ 21,732
$ 7,282
#11
$ 21,732
$ 7,282
The University of Pennsylvania, a private Ivy League university established in 1740, is a colonial school established before the United States was constituted. This university is rich in history and culture and is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its academic life is unrivalled, with students from 134 countries and 50 states.
UPenn is a sanctuary for intellectual achievement and is among the premier group of private Ivy League Universities in the United States. The university, an apex of learning, is among the highest-ranked universities around the world and the oldest institution of higher education in the country. The main campus of the institution is in University City, West Philadelphia, right over the Schuylkill River from Center City Philadelphia. The university is home to 12 schools, which provide some of the world's best undergraduate and graduate programmes. The College of Arts and Sciences, the Wharton School, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the School of Nursing are among the undergraduate schools.
The graduate schools at Penn are among the most prestigious in their respective professions. In comparison to other universities, Penn's graduate-level programmes have historically ranked better in their individual academic specialities than the entire undergraduate programme. Significant expenditures on Penn's staff, promoting the institution to new students, and more active sourcing of research and endowment money have helped Penn to preserve the position of its graduate schools even while the university's reputation has declined.
Penn is one of the nation's top research institutions, not only creating essential new knowledge in the disciplines of health, technology, business, science, and beyond but also using this data to enhance the lives of individuals and communities at home and throughout the world. Penn's abilities are not limited to infrastructure. The institution boasts a long list of prominent alumni from many different walks of life. Penn has links to over 25 Nobel Laureates. Among the many notable alumni of the university are Elon Musk, Co-founder and CEO of Tesla, Noam Chomsky, a social critic and well-known leftist activist, John Legend, a world-renowned Grammy singer-songwriter, Anil Ambani, an Indian businessman, Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, and Sachin Pilot, an Indian politician.
Philadelphia, United States
Cost Of Living
$ 21,732
$ 17,000
#721 - 730
$ 21,732
$ 17,000
In 1891, renowned financier and philanthropist Anthony J. Drexel heeded the call for a new model of higher education and mapped the road that Drexel University still treads today. Drexel is a world-class integrated R1 research university and a major player in experiential education, located in the centre of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The institution blends academic quality with one of the nation's best cooperative education programmes through a novel approach to experiential learning. Currently, the university provides a wide range of degrees and courses divided into undergraduate, graduate, and professional programmes.
The university has an in-class student-teacher ratio of 17:1 with approximately 14,000 students and 700 staff. Overseas students are welcome at the university, with 18% of them coming from six continents. As one of America’s 15 largest private universities, Drexel offers students several opportunities at every stage of their university life. Its global reputation has been founded on essential milestones such as prominence in experiential learning through Drexel Co-op, a legacy of academic technological firsts, and recognition as a model of best practices in translational, use-inspired research.
Drexel not only offers undergraduate and graduate programmes but also confers accredited degrees online and certificates. The university comprises several colleges including -
- College of Arts & Sciences
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, & Health Systems
- Lebow College of Business
- College of Computing & Informatics
- School of Education
- College of Engineering
Drexel creates an environment where students, teachers, and staff gain information and skills that they may utilise to make the world a more fair and equitable place. Drexel's dynamic curriculum blends world-class academics with real-world experience, allowing students to develop skills and prepare them for the challenges of an ever-changing world. Drexel distinguishes itself from other institutions through its renowned Co-op programme, which allows students to learn alongside professionals in their areas and observe directly how these innovators shape the professional world. Each of these events individually prepares Drexel Dragons (university students) to push the boundaries of what they are capable of doing as students, professionals, and individuals.
Philadelphia, United States
Cost Of Living
$ 21,732
$ 17,208
#681 - 690
$ 21,732
$ 17,208
Temple University, founded as a night school by Russell Conwell in 1884, has grown into a worldwide powerhouse in higher education and a top-tier research university with around 40,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. As the biggest university in one of the nation's most famous cities, it educates diverse future leaders from Philadelphia, the country, and throughout the world who share a common desire to study, prepare for jobs, and make a significant impact. Temple University provides students with a vibrant and supportive learning environment supported by a renowned faculty, dedicated academic advisers focused on establishing a clear route to completion, and a diverse curriculum comprising several academic programs.
Temple, a long-standing pioneer in professional education, is also one of the nation's largest educators in the integrated professions of dentistry, law, medicine, pharmacy, and podiatry. With outstanding outcomes, investments in the campus learning environment have boosted the university's competencies throughout its 17 schools and colleges. Temple was awarded the R1 Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education in 2015, putting it among the nation's most active research universities. In addition, the institution recently recognised a Rhodes scholar, a Goldwater scholar, and its largest and brightest graduating class.
Admissions are selected at the institution with the Temple University acceptance rate of 72%. Through innovative teaching, research, and other creative efforts, the institution teaches a lively student body and provides unique knowledge. Its urban setting enables revolutionary prospects for active study, immersive learning, and discovery of self, others, and the world. Furthermore, the university welcomes a diverse community of students and academics who aspire to make the improbable a reality.
The lively Main Campus of Temple is set against the background of the Philadelphia cityscape. On campus, it has NCAA Division I sporting programs and hundreds of student groups. As Philadelphia's public university, it offers unrivalled value to the region's families and acts as a vital resource to the surrounding community. The institution also serves as a global gateway, with long-standing overseas campuses in Tokyo and Rome, as well as study abroad programs on six continents.
Philadelphia, United States
Cost Of Living
$ 21,732
$ 45,792
$ 21,732
$ 45,792
#1165
The public, open-admission Community College of Philadelphia offers educational resources and assistance to aid students in achieving their academic objectives. Since 1965, the College has provided higher education to more than 685,000 Philadelphia citizens as the city's biggest public institution of higher learning.
More than 100 associate degree, educational, and proficiency certificate programmes are available at the Community College of Philadelphia. Eighty-five per cent of recent pass-outs who were employed eight months after graduating from College got jobs in the Philadelphia metro region, supporting the regional economy and workforce in Philadelphia. The College offers transfer agreements and partnerships to help students make the move so they can start on a wise path to a bachelor's degree programme.
To help students fund their tuition at the College or a four-year university, the College offers an extensive range of scholarships. It provides day, evening, and weekend sessions on its Main Campus and three Regional Centres to suit a wide spectrum of students. When pursuing a college education, there is even greater freedom thanks to online and hybrid courses and degree programmes.
For specialised services including tailored workforce training, certification training, professional development training sessions, and on-site degree programmes, companies and professionals turn to Corporate Solutions. Athletics and campus life programmes provide students with educational and professional experience outside the classroom for those who choose to get involved.
Dedicated professors and small class sizes produce a focused, encouraging environment. The College is home to a varied group of students and professors from various cultural backgrounds, ages, and life experiences. International students, in particular, enhance the university's learning environment by bringing a contemporary perspective from around the world.
Community College of Philadelphia Acceptance Rate
The Community College of Philadelphia acceptance rate is 100%. Students from over 50 nations now enrolled at Community College of Philadelphia get several advantages. They find a warm, individualised environment here, together with the thrills, cultures, and opportunities of a top-tier city that successfully combines tradition with modern facilities. With over 150 foreign students from more than 50 different countries as well as local students from various ethnic backgrounds, Community College of Philadelphia boasts a varied and culturally rich student body.
Philadelphia, United States
Cost Of Living
$ 21,732
$ 30,700
$ 21,732
$ 30,700
#459
Established in 1863, La Salle University was named in honour of St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle, the visionary behind the Christian Brothers. Initially situated at various sites across Philadelphia, the university eventually found its permanent home on a section of Belfield Farm, which was once owned by the renowned painter Charles Willson Peale.
La Salle University offers a diverse array of academic programs across various fields. From business to nursing, the institution provides complete education to conventional as well as applied courses. For instance, the Accounting program, available for evening undergraduates, emphasises flexibility. La Salle's unique 4-year Accounting (B.S./MBA) program integrates undergraduate and graduate studies.
The ACHIEVE BSN La Salle University courses focus on nursing education, preparing students for successful healthcare careers. The university's commitment to multidisciplinary education is evident in programs like American Studies (B.A.) and Art History (Minor). La Salle University ensures a transformative learning experience, fostering excellence across various disciplines. Apart from curriculum development, there is also a mix of extracurriculars with hobby clubs and sports for interested students.
La Salle University Acceptance Rate
La Salle University's acceptance rate exhibits slight variations among different reports. US News indicates a 94% acceptance rate, while Niche and The Princeton Review report a slightly lower rate of 81%.
Admission Process And Requirements
As you explore the following information, remember that admission requirements and processes may vary between universities. The requirements for bachelor’s and masters in Philadelphia may have slight differences. Be sure to consult the official websites of each university for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Documents Required
- Academic transcripts
- GPA required: 3.0 on a scale of 4.0
- English proficiency test scores. TOEFL-IBT: 83-100/IELTS: 6.5-7.0
- 2 Letters of recommendation
- Statement of Purpose/Essay
- C.V. and portfolio
- Resume or CV
Admission Process
- Visit the specific university website and create an account.
- Complete the online application.
- Submit your high school transcript and other documents.
- Submit all the applicable test scores from your specific program.
- Submit an application essay.
- Pay the application fee.
- Wait for a response from the admission committee.
Scholarships In Philadelphia
The Pennsylvania State government offers a variety of financial support opportunities for international students, including assistantships, fellowships and grants. Graduate assistantships are common in the state. They cover 80% of health insurance premiums and a living stipend in exchange for service. These fellowships do not have a required work commitment and are duty-free. Students can find the top scholarships in Philadelphia below:
- The Philadelphia Foundation: The foundation rewards over 200 scholarships based on academic merit, financial need and backgrounds, including the Feinstein Fund for Philadelphia Scholars and the Samuel S. Fels Scholarship Fund.
- Amount: $1,000-$5,000 per year
- The Lenfest Foundation: Provides scholarships for Philadelphia students pursuing higher education, including the Lenfest Scholars Program and the Lenfest College Access Program.
- Amount: up to $12,000 per year
- The United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey: Offers scholarships for students pursuing higher education in the Philadelphia region, including the Community Scholars Program and the William Penn Scholarship Program.
- Amount: $50,000 per year for two years
- The Philadelphia Scholarship Fund: This scholarship program offers for under-resourced Philadelphia families to attend K-8th grade schools, including the Opportunity Scholarship and the Philadelphia Scholars Network Scholarship.
- Amount: $1,000-$5,000 per year
FAQs
The city's colleges and universities offer exceptional education on a global scale while fostering an inclusive and diverse environment for all students.
The University of Pennsylvania consistently secures a top-ranking position in U.S. News' National Universities rankings.
Philadelphia City School District sets aside $15,066 per student annually, with a total annual revenue of $3,705,298,000. The district's expenditures break down as follows: $7,625.9 million on instruction, $5,279.0 million on support services, and $711.6 million on other expenses.
Philadelphia has an Ivy League institution and the third-largest student community on the East Coast. It stands as an excellent choice for those aspiring to pursue their academic dreams in the USA.
Studying in Philadelphia is around $23,916, while for out-of-state students, it is approximately $48,036.
University City is where many students choose to reside. However, there are numerous other fantastic neighbourhoods in Philadelphia catering to college students.
SEPTA which stands for Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, ranks among the United States' most extensive systems having buses, subways and commuter rails.