Temple University
Temple University is a public research university in the heart of North Philadelphia, enrolling about 21,400 undergraduates on a dense urban campus. Admission is accessible for a school its size — roughly 80% of more than 40,000 applicants are admitted, and enrolled first-years post an average high school GPA of 3.42 with middle-50% SAT scores of 1130–1358. Business and marketing is the largest field at about 21% of bachelor's degrees, anchored by the Fox School of Business, followed by the health professions and Temple's well-known programs in media and communication. Temple is test-optional, and more than three-quarters of recent applicants applied without submitting scores.
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Temple admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admittedEarly Action
Temple offers non-binding Early Action — an earlier decision with no commitment to enroll.
Standardized Tests
Temple is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Admissions Factors
How Temple weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Temple's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $15,923 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about Temple admissions
Is it hard to get into Temple?＋
No, Temple is fairly accessible. It admitted about 80% of more than 40,000 applicants in the most recent cycle, drawing roughly 4,900 enrolled first-years. Admission to selective programs such as the Fox School of Business or the honors program runs tighter than the overall rate, but for most majors a solid academic record makes you a competitive applicant.
What GPA do you need to get into Temple?＋
Enrolled first-years averaged a 3.42 high school GPA on a 4.0 scale, and academic GPA along with the rigor of your course load are the two factors Temple rates as very important. There is no hard minimum, but a record of mostly A's and B's in a challenging schedule puts you in a strong position.
Is a 1300 SAT good enough for Temple?＋
Yes, a 1300 is well above average at Temple. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years who submitted scores landed between 1130 and 1358 on the SAT, so a 1300 sits in the upper portion of that range. The comparable ACT range is 24–31.
Is Temple test-optional?＋
Yes, Temple is test-optional, and more than three-quarters of recent applicants chose not to submit scores. If you do submit, the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1130–1358 on the SAT and 24–31 on the ACT, and scores are weighed as a considered factor rather than a required one.
What are my chances of getting into Temple from out of state?＋
Out-of-state applicants fare well at Temple, which draws students from across the country to Philadelphia. About 40% of first-years come from outside Pennsylvania, and state residency is only a considered factor in admission rather than a very important one, so applying from out of state does not put you at a meaningful disadvantage on selectivity.
How much does Temple cost in-state vs. out-of-state?＋
Annual tuition and required fees run about $22,914 for Pennsylvania residents and $38,837 for out-of-state students. Around 71% of first-years receive need-based aid with an average package near $17,833, and Temple meets roughly 62% of demonstrated need on average.
What are the most popular majors at Temple?＋
Business and marketing is the largest field at about 21% of bachelor's degrees, anchored by the Fox School of Business. The health professions follow at roughly 11%, then media and communication at about 9%, with the visual and performing arts, life sciences, and psychology rounding out the top areas.
Does the application essay matter at Temple?＋
It helps. Temple rates the application essay as a considered factor in its holistic review, alongside extracurriculars and recommendations, while GPA and course rigor carry the most weight. The essay is your chance to add context beyond your grades, and a specific, well-revised piece can strengthen a borderline application.
Source: Temple University Common Data Set 2024-2025. Figures transcribed 2026-06-22. In-State Cost and Out-of-State Cost are from the 2023-2024 edition. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Temple. Banner photo by ImagineerJC, via Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0).