University of Pennsylvania
Ranking, cost of attendance, the financial aid policy for international students, tests and deadlines, checked against Penn’s own pages.
Check my chances at PennLast updated 4 October 2026Figures checked against official sources, listed at the end
University of Pennsylvania: highlights
The University of Pennsylvania is an Ivy League university in Philadelphia, home to the Wharton School, and ranks 15th in the QS World University Rankings 2027. For international applicants, the ability to pay is part of the admission decision, but anyone admitted with aid has their full need covered.
- After HSC: US universities do not set an HSC cut-off. Penn reviews your whole school record, test scores, essays and recommendations together.
- Total cost: USD 99,082 for 2026-2027, including tuition of USD 65,670, housing and food.
- Financial aid: Need-aware for international students; full need met for those admitted with aid.
- Tests: See Penn’s testing page for the current SAT and ACT policy.
- Deadlines: Early Decision: 1 November. Regular Decision: Early January.
Key facts
University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An English test is required unless English is your native language or was your main language of instruction for at least 3 years. Scores must come from tests taken on or after 1 April 2025.
Penn rankings
| Ranking | Position |
|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 15 in the world |
Cost of attendance
US universities publish one cost of attendance instead of a fee per course. These are Penn’s figures for 2026-2027, and they are close to the amount your I-20 will show.
| Item | Amount a year |
|---|---|
| Tuition | USD 65,670 |
| Fees | USD 8,308 |
| Housing, on campus | USD 13,644 |
| Food | USD 6,960 |
| Books and supplies | USD 1,412 |
| Transport | USD 1,080 |
| Personal expenses | USD 2,008 |
| Total, on campus | USD 99,082 |
The same tuition applies to every undergraduate major. Travel between Bangladesh and the US is extra.
Admission requirements for Bangladeshi students
| Your qualification or level | What Penn asks for |
|---|---|
| HSC or A levels | Completion of secondary school. There is no fixed minimum mark; admission is holistic and highly selective |
| Standardised tests | See Penn’s testing page for the current SAT and ACT policy |
| School documents | Official transcripts sent by your school, with certified English translations where needed |
| Master’s and PhD Each graduate department runs its own admission, with its own tests, deadlines and funding. Check the department page |
Admission rates at this level are very low for every applicant, so apply to a range of universities.
English language scores
| Test or course | Minimum |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | Competitive applicants tend to score 5 or above |
| IELTS Academic | Competitive applicants tend to score 7 or above |
| Duolingo English Test | Competitive applicants tend to score 130 or above |
Penn: yearly intakes
Penn admits first-year students once a year, for the fall term that starts in August or September. You choose an early or a regular round.
| Intake | Classes start | Apply by | Open for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision | August or September | 1 November | Decision: December |
| Regular Decision | August or September | Early January | Decision: Spring |
An English test is required unless English is your native language or was your main language of instruction for at least 3 years. Scores must come from tests taken on or after 1 April 2025.
How to apply
- Take the required tests
See Penn’s testing page for the current SAT and ACT policy. Book early, because test dates in Bangladesh fill up.
- Submit the application
Application fee: See Penn’s application page.
- Apply for financial aid at the same time
If you need aid, ask for it in the same application cycle. Need-aware for international students; full need met for those admitted with aid.
- Receive your I-20
After you accept an offer and show how the first-year cost will be covered, the university issues the I-20 you need for the visa.
- Apply for the F-1 visa
Pay the SEVIS fee, submit the DS-160 at least 7 days before your interview, and attend the interview at the US Embassy in Dhaka.
Scholarships for Bangladeshi students
Financial aid for international students
University of Pennsylvania
- Policy
- Need-aware for international students; full need met for those admitted with aid
- Based on
- Family finances
- Apply
- With your admission application
- US federal aid
- Not available
Penn is need-aware for international applicants: a family’s ability to pay does factor into the decision. International students admitted with aid receive need-based aid covering 100% of demonstrated need. You must request aid when you apply; requests after admission cannot be considered, in the first year or later.
View on official site ↗International students do not qualify for US federal aid, so university funding matters most.
Living costs at Penn
Housing and food are already part of the cost of attendance above: USD 20,604 for housing and food for 2026-2027.
There is no single national figure for the US. You must show funds that cover the first-year cost on your I-20, with balances built up over 6 to 12 months. The F-1 visa costs USD 535 in total: a USD 185 application fee and a USD 350 SEVIS fee.
What one year costs in total
The full first-year cost is USD 99,082 for 2026-2027, before any financial aid. Travel and, where needed, health insurance are extra.
Work and careers after Penn
Reputation
- 15 in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
- Need-aware for international students; full need met for those admitted with aid.
Work while you study
- On-campus jobs for up to 20 hours a week during term on an F-1 visa.
- Off-campus work needs authorisation, such as Curricular Practical Training.
Stay after graduating
- Optional Practical Training gives 12 months of work.
- STEM graduates can extend it by 24 months.
Penn: FAQs
Can I get into Penn with HSC?
You can apply with the HSC. US universities do not publish an HSC cut-off: Penn looks at your full school record, test scores, essays and recommendations. An English test is required unless English is your native language or was your main language of instruction for at least 3 years. Scores must come from tests taken on or after 1 April 2025.
How much does Penn cost for international students?
The full cost of attendance for 2026-2027 is USD 99,082, which includes tuition of USD 65,670 and USD 20,604 for housing and food.
Does Penn give financial aid to Bangladeshi students?
Penn is need-aware for international applicants: a family’s ability to pay does factor into the decision. International students admitted with aid receive need-based aid covering 100% of demonstrated need. You must request aid when you apply; requests after admission cannot be considered, in the first year or later.
Do I need the SAT or ACT for Penn?
See Penn’s testing page for the current SAT and ACT policy.
When is the Penn deadline?
Early Decision: 1 November. Regular Decision: Early January. Classes start in August or September.
How much money do I need to show for the F-1 visa?
Enough to cover the first-year cost on your I-20, which is close to USD 99,082 before any aid. A financial aid award reduces the amount you must show.
Plan the rest
Official sources
- Penn: undergraduate cost of attendance ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- Penn: international aid ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- Penn: international applicants ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- QS World University Rankings 2027 ↗Checked 2026-10-04 · next review 2026-11-03
- U.S. Embassy Dhaka: nonimmigrant visas ↗Checked 2026-09-29 · next review 2026-10-29
These are dated editorial checks, not a live data feed. Recheck the original page before applying or paying.
About this guide. Researched by the Student Visa From Bangladesh editorial team from the official sources listed above and last checked on 4 October 2026. We are not a university or a government agency, and admission and visa outcomes are never guaranteed. Read our editorial policy.