Temple University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
Or open Temple University in College Search to compare programs, costs and outcomes side by side.
Temple University is a public university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that admits about 80% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $28,198 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Psychology, General, Computer and Information Sciences, General and Finance and Financial Management Services, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 75% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 5.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
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 80%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT around 1250. 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?
64% of enrolled students at Temple University had a high school GPA of 3.25 or above, and the average was 3.42, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does Temple University weight in admissions?
Temple University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
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.
| 25th percentile | 1130 |
| 50th percentile | 1250 |
| 75th percentile | 1358 |
| % submitting SAT | 17.7% |
| 25th percentile | 24 |
| 50th percentile | 29 |
| 75th percentile | 31 |
| % submitting ACT | 1.9% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
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 — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 32% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | — |
| Room and board | — |
| Average net price (after aid) | $28,198 |
| Application fee | $55 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Temple University
| Regular deadline | February 1 |
| Notification date | 4 - 8 weeks after application |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 1 |
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
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 334 | $50,596 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 319 | $104,762 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 269 | $82,053 |
| Biology, General | 254 | $73,979 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 249 | $63,387 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 232 | — |
| Marketing | 219 | $74,250 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 213 | $63,192 |
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 23% of undergraduates at Temple University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 4% of men join a fraternity and 0% 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 University27% acceptance
- Swarthmore College7% acceptance
- Haverford College12% acceptance
- Lafayette College31% acceptance
- York College of Pennsylvania74% acceptance
- Westminster College93% acceptance
- West Chester University of Pennsylvania78% acceptance
- Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania87% acceptance
Next steps for Temple University
Common questions parents ask about Temple University
What GPA do I need for Temple University?
64% of enrolled students at Temple University had a high school GPA of 3.25 or above, and the average was 3.42, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Temple University typically admit?
Temple University does not publish standardized test ranges in the most recent reporting cycle. Scores are optional here, and a strong one can still help when the rest of the application is borderline.
How much does Temple University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Temple University after grants and scholarships is $28,198 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $23,011 and $38,958 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Temple University realistic for my child?
Temple University admits 80% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $28,198 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Temple University?
Temple University accepts about 80% of applicants out of roughly 40,817 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Temple University test-optional?
Yes. Temple University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Temple University?
About 75% of students at Temple University graduate within six years, and 59% finish in four years. 83% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does Temple University look for in applicants?
Temple University rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Temple University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Temple University is a public institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
What are the most popular majors at Temple University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Temple University by annual graduates are Psychology, General, Computer and Information Sciences, General and Finance and Financial Management Services. The school awards about 2,089 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Temple University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Temple University reported 105 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 5.0 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Temple University?
At Temple University, 23% of undergraduates live on campus, 4% of men are in fraternities, 0% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Temple University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers