About | University of Pennsylvania
Source: https://upenn.edu/about
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:12
About | University of Pennsylvania
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Penn’s academics are boosted by its inherent culture and ecosystem of innovation. You name it, if it’s cutting-edge, the University’s faculty—and students—have their hands in it. Grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and enriched by the integrated resources of four undergraduate and 12 graduate schools, Penn offers students an unparalleled education informed by inclusivity, intellectual rigor, research, and the impetus to create new knowledge to the benefit of individuals and communities around the world.
1740
Year Founded
6,049
Total Faculty Members
8:1
Student-Faculty Ratio (Fall 2024)
All Penn Facts
Sustainability
Penn is dedicated to promoting a sustainable culture and implementing environmentally conscious policies.
A Rich History
As America’s first university, Penn has a history that dates back to 1740 and shares many ties with the colonial city of Philadelphia and the birth of the nation.
Visit Penn
We invite you to spend time on campus and see the many ways our diverse community brings excitement and discovery to Penn’s grand buildings and state-of-the-art facilities.
Penn Global
Other Strategic Initiatives
Penn faculty and students share a passion for engaging with communities around the world, and Penn Global provides innumerable opportunities for them to pair passion and knowledge in ways that both enrich their academic careers and positively impact diverse people and populations all over the globe.
Global Campus
Penn is a leading institution for the range of countries represented, and cultures supported, on campus.
Global Opportunities
Whether through study abroad, service learning, or innovative travel initiatives, international experience is an indispensable part of Penn.
Global Impact
Penn’s faculty, students, and alumni use their cutting-edge research, broad expertise, and University resources to effect positive change in peoples’ lives around the world.
Penn Global
Penn has established a number of key initiatives in robust support of student and faculty work that advances the mission of the University: work that bridges the divide between knowledge and action, dismantles academic silos that impede innovation, or breaks down the economic barriers that obstruct educational equality and excellence.
Penn Integrates Knowledge Professorships
The Penn Integrates Knowledge program attracts leading professors whose discipline-crossing work creates natural bridges among the University’s 12 schools, enriching student experiences and furthering Penn’s mission to integrate knowledge in service to society.
All-grant Financial Aid
Penn’s all-grant financial aid policy significantly reduces the burden of debt and, together with its need-blind admissions policy, ensures that a Penn education is accessible to outstanding students from all backgrounds.
President's Engagement Prizes
Penn seniors compete annually for prizes that fully fund local, national, and global engagement projects during the recipient’s first post-graduation year. This robust funding enables Penn’s youngest alumni to use their knowledge to serve others in profound and impactful ways.
President's Innovation Prizes
Awarded annually to a graduating Penn senior or team of seniors, the President’s Innovation Prize provides our students a unique path to be inventive and to think broadly about cutting-edge commercial projects that also have social impact.
Penn Virtual Tour
From West Philadelphia to the comfort of your own home, we invite you to explore Penn through a virtual tour of our historic campus. Get a glimpse inside our state-of-the-art classrooms, hear from current students and faculty, and catch live performances by members of our community as you stroll down Locust Walk.
Penn Virtual Tour
Skip to main content
Go to site search
Go to primary navigation
Go to resources navigation
Penn’s academics are boosted by its inherent culture and ecosystem of innovation. You name it, if it’s cutting-edge, the University’s faculty—and students—have their hands in it. Grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and enriched by the integrated resources of four undergraduate and 12 graduate schools, Penn offers students an unparalleled education informed by inclusivity, intellectual rigor, research, and the impetus to create new knowledge to the benefit of individuals and communities around the world.
1740
Year Founded
6,049
Total Faculty Members
8:1
Student-Faculty Ratio (Fall 2024)
All Penn Facts
Sustainability
Penn is dedicated to promoting a sustainable culture and implementing environmentally conscious policies.
A Rich History
As America’s first university, Penn has a history that dates back to 1740 and shares many ties with the colonial city of Philadelphia and the birth of the nation.
Visit Penn
We invite you to spend time on campus and see the many ways our diverse community brings excitement and discovery to Penn’s grand buildings and state-of-the-art facilities.
Penn Global
Other Strategic Initiatives
Penn faculty and students share a passion for engaging with communities around the world, and Penn Global provides innumerable opportunities for them to pair passion and knowledge in ways that both enrich their academic careers and positively impact diverse people and populations all over the globe.
Global Campus
Penn is a leading institution for the range of countries represented, and cultures supported, on campus.
Global Opportunities
Whether through study abroad, service learning, or innovative travel initiatives, international experience is an indispensable part of Penn.
Global Impact
Penn’s faculty, students, and alumni use their cutting-edge research, broad expertise, and University resources to effect positive change in peoples’ lives around the world.
Penn Global
Penn has established a number of key initiatives in robust support of student and faculty work that advances the mission of the University: work that bridges the divide between knowledge and action, dismantles academic silos that impede innovation, or breaks down the economic barriers that obstruct educational equality and excellence.
Penn Integrates Knowledge Professorships
The Penn Integrates Knowledge program attracts leading professors whose discipline-crossing work creates natural bridges among the University’s 12 schools, enriching student experiences and furthering Penn’s mission to integrate knowledge in service to society.
All-grant Financial Aid
Penn’s all-grant financial aid policy significantly reduces the burden of debt and, together with its need-blind admissions policy, ensures that a Penn education is accessible to outstanding students from all backgrounds.
President's Engagement Prizes
Penn seniors compete annually for prizes that fully fund local, national, and global engagement projects during the recipient’s first post-graduation year. This robust funding enables Penn’s youngest alumni to use their knowledge to serve others in profound and impactful ways.
President's Innovation Prizes
Awarded annually to a graduating Penn senior or team of seniors, the President’s Innovation Prize provides our students a unique path to be inventive and to think broadly about cutting-edge commercial projects that also have social impact.
Penn Virtual Tour
From West Philadelphia to the comfort of your own home, we invite you to explore Penn through a virtual tour of our historic campus. Get a glimpse inside our state-of-the-art classrooms, hear from current students and faculty, and catch live performances by members of our community as you stroll down Locust Walk.
Penn Virtual Tour