Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
86.1% Acceptance Rate
Thomas Jefferson University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
86.1%Acceptance Rate
3.73Avg GPA
1259Avg SAT
30Avg ACT
$62,110Annual Cost
$77,449Grad Salary
33.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
86.1%
Avg GPA
3.73
Avg SAT
1259
Avg ACT
30
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1150–1350
ACT Middle 50%
27–32
Need-Based Aid
33.9% receive Pell
Thomas Jefferson University is a private, research-intensive university in Philadelphia known for its leadership in healthcare and health sciences. By integrating clinical excellence, research, and innovative design, the university provides a transformative education that prepares students for success in the rapidly evolving medical and professional fields.
Thomas Jefferson University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Thomas Jefferson University is inclusive by design. 86.1% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 86.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.73 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.53 – 3.72
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.28
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Philadelphia University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Philadelphia University is 3.73. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.43 and 3.73? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.93–4.13.Philadelphia University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.73 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.53 – 3.72
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.33 – 3.52
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.32
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Formed by the 2017 merger of Thomas Jefferson University (medicine) and Philadelphia University (design, architecture, business, textiles); operates across East Falls and Center City campuses under the unified "Jefferson" name
- Standardized test scores are optional for all programs that once required them; admission is holistic and test-blind by policy, not just test-optional
- Recommendation letters are required; portfolio is optional but strongly recommended for design-track applicants; Healthcare Experience summary is optional for accelerated/dual-degree health programs
- The 4+2 BS in Health Sciences/MS in Physician Assistant Studies dual degree carries a distinct, earlier December 1 application deadline separate from the general priority deadline
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Philadelphia University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Thomas Jefferson University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia University) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Philadelphia University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Philadelphia University Without SAT or ACT?
Philadelphia University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Thomas Jefferson University Average SAT Score: 1259
Admitted students at Thomas Jefferson University average a 1259 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1259 — Slightly Competitive
A 1259 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1350 SAT or 32 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Thomas Jefferson University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1150? A retake is worth it at Philadelphia University. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 615 | 560 | 670 |
| SAT Reading | 635 | 590 | 680 |
| SAT Composite | 1259 | 1150 | 1350 |
A score under 1150 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1350+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1250
Can I get into Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia University) with a 1350 SAT?
At 1350, your SAT is squarely in Philadelphia University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia University) ACT Requirements
Philadelphia University's admitted students average an ACT of 30.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 30 — Very Competitive
Philadelphia University's ACT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 29 | 25 | 33 |
| ACT English | 30 | 25 | 34 |
| ACT Composite | 30 | 27 | 32 |
Can I get into Thomas Jefferson University with a 32 ACT?
At 32, you're in the top quarter of Philadelphia University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Philadelphia University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Philadelphia University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Philadelphia University is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Name the actual post-merger identity, not generic "Jefferson" language
This is not a college named for the president in the abstract - it's the 2017 merger of the medical-school-anchored Thomas Jefferson University with the design-and-business-focused Philadelphia University, now operating as one "Jefferson" across East Falls and Center City campuses. In any why-us materials, reference a specific cross-disciplinary pairing that only exists because of that merger (e.g., health communication design, or architecture students working with health sciences faculty) rather than praising "innovation" or "tradition" in the abstract.
Submit the design portfolio even though it's optional
For architecture, industrial design, or fashion & textiles applicants - the legacy Philadelphia University programs - the portfolio is technically optional but functions as the main tool faculty use to differentiate otherwise similar applicants. Build it around Jefferson's specific sustainability/upcycling ethos that shows up repeatedly in program work (e.g., garments or products built from reclaimed materials) rather than a generic art portfolio, since that signals fit with what the design faculty are actually teaching.
Don't skip the optional Healthcare Experience summary - and watch the December 1 outlier deadline
Applicants to accelerated or dual-degree health tracks should always submit the optional Healthcare Experience summary of shadowing, service, or internship hours, since Jefferson has eliminated standardized testing requirements across programs that used to require them - which pushes more weight onto qualitative material like this in holistic review. Note that the 4+2 BS in Health Sciences/MS in Physician Assistant Studies dual degree has its own early deadline of December 1, well ahead of the general priority deadline most applicants plan around.
Lean on recommendation letters since testing carries little weight
Jefferson now treats standardized test scores as fully optional across the board - submitting a score won't disadvantage an applicant who omits one - but recommendation letters are still required, so make sure at least one letter speaks directly to work habits relevant to Jefferson's "Nexus Learning" model of transdisciplinary, real-world team projects (the university cites a 95% job-placement/grad-school outcome rate tied to this model), not just general academic praise.
Expert Insight:
The most common error is applicants conflating this school with a different Jefferson-named or Founding-Father-branded institution, or writing "why us" essays around Thomas Jefferson the historical figure rather than the university's actual current identity as a health-sciences-and-design hybrid formed by the Philadelphia University merger - admissions readers who see generic Founding-Father references or essays that ignore the design/health duality flag them as not having researched the school.
Philadelphia University Profile
Full Name
Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia University)
City
Philadelphia
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
19107
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Philadelphia University Degree Worth It?
Whether Philadelphia University is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $66,600, and graduates see a 3.64% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Philadelphia University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $62,110/year at Philadelphia University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Philadelphia University, 33.9% receive a Pell Grant and 85% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Philadelphia University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Philadelphia University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Philadelphia University graduates report a median income of $77,449, about 91% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Thomas Jefferson University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
| Florida Institute of Technology | Melbourne, FL | 1213 | 26 |
| Jacksonville University | Jacksonville, FL | 1211 | 26 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
| Berry College | Mount Berry, GA | 1223 | 26 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Thomas Jefferson University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Thomas Jefferson University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
Degree Programs at Philadelphia University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Philadelphia University Admissions
Thomas Jefferson University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $77,449/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Thomas Jefferson University runs high, at roughly $62,110+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
33.9% of Thomas Jefferson University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Thomas Jefferson University's acceptance rate is 86.1%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Thomas Jefferson University students is 3.73, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.43 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Thomas Jefferson University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.33 or below makes admission tougher at Thomas Jefferson University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Thomas Jefferson University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1259, and within the 1150–1350 range, keeps you competitive.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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