Temple University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Temple University is a public institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For the most recent reporting cycle, Temple University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 86%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT around 1200. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $28,198 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Temple University?

Temple University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.

What does Temple University weight in admissions?

Temple University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

SAT and ACT scores Temple University typically admits

Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort, often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

How much does Temple University actually cost?

Published tuition is $23,011 for in-state students and $38,958 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $17,690 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $28,198 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 32% of students receive Pell Grants.

Application deadlines and early decision data for Temple University

Will my child graduate from Temple University?

These predict outcomes at Temple University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Most popular majors at Temple University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Temple University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Computer and Information Sciences, General and Finance and Financial Management Services. Across all programs, Temple University confers roughly 2,089 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $50,596 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

Is Temple University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Temple University disclosed 105 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 5.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 56 violent offenses and 24 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

What is campus life like at Temple University?

About 22% of undergraduates at Temple University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 3% of men join a fraternity and 5% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Other colleges in Pennsylvania parents ask about

• Villanova University
  27% acceptance
• Swarthmore College
  7% acceptance
• Haverford College
  12% acceptance
• Lafayette College
  31% acceptance
• York College of Pennsylvania
  74% acceptance
• Westminster College
  93% acceptance
• West Chester University of Pennsylvania
  78% acceptance
• Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
  87% acceptance

Common questions parents ask about Temple University