Peking University
A world-leading research university known for academic excellence and innovation. Consistently ranked among the top institutions globally, offering cutting-edge programs across multiple disciplines with strong industry connections.
- Acceptance Rate
- 12.9%
- SAT Range
- N/A
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.85
- Size
- Large (38,996 students)
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- 1:8
- Setting
- suburban
- Graduation Rate
- 95.0%
- Retention Rate
- 97.0%
- Tuition (In-State)
- $5,000
- Tuition (Int'l)
- $12,000
Academic Programs
STEM
Business
Social Sciences
Humanities
Health
Arts
English Proficiency Requirements
Student Life & Environment
Student life at Peking University operates at an intensity that can overwhelm those unprepared for constant excellence expectations. Classmates are the highest-achieving students from China's most competitive educational system, many having survived the gaokao examination process that determines life trajectories for millions. The pressure to match peers' achievements while distinguishing oneself creates stress that the university has increasingly acknowledged and addressed through counseling services and wellness programming. Campus facilities support both academic and social life within the walls that separate the university from surrounding Beijing. Libraries stay open late, filled with students studying into the night. Dining halls serve affordable meals that become gathering places for friends catching quick breaks between classes. Sports facilities provide physical outlets, with running tracks and basketball courts seeing heavy use. Traditional activities like calligraphy clubs and classical music ensembles connect students with Chinese heritage, while newer organizations reflect contemporary interests from entrepreneurship to environmental activism. Weiming Lake and the campus grounds provide beautiful settings for walks, conversations, and moments of peace amid demanding schedules. Couples stroll the paths on pleasant evenings, friends gather at favorite spots, and solitary students find quiet corners for reading or reflection. The campus creates its own world, though Beijing's cultural and entertainment offerings are accessible when students venture beyond the gates.
Location & Surroundings
Beijing as China's capital provides unmatched context for understanding the country's past, present, and future. The city's historical sites from the Forbidden City to the Temple of Heaven to countless hutong neighborhoods preserve millennia of Chinese civilization. Government institutions, major corporations, and cultural organizations concentrate here, creating professional networks and career opportunities unavailable in other Chinese cities. The energy of China's continuing transformation is palpable in Beijing, from gleaming new architecture to subway lines extending ever outward. The Haidian District, where Peking University is located, has developed into China's answer to Silicon Valley, with technology companies, research institutions, and venture capital concentrating near the university and neighboring Tsinghua University. This ecosystem creates internship opportunities, startup possibilities, and intellectual stimulation beyond what the campus alone provides. Students live amid innovation that is reshaping global technology and business. Practical aspects of Beijing life include both advantages and challenges. Air quality has improved significantly but remains problematic by international standards. Traffic congestion makes commuting difficult, though the campus location allows many students to avoid regular travel. Cost of living has risen dramatically, placing financial pressure on students from modest backgrounds despite relatively affordable university housing and dining options.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Costs at Peking University remain modest compared to Western institutions, reflecting the Chinese public university model. Tuition for Chinese students is heavily subsidized, with fees that would seem trivial by American standards. International students pay higher rates but still find costs far below comparable American or European universities. Living expenses in Beijing have risen substantially, with housing costs outside the dormitories particularly challenging, but university-provided accommodation remains affordable for those who secure spots. Career prospects for Peking University graduates are exceptional within China and increasingly recognized internationally. Government agencies, state-owned enterprises, and major corporations actively recruit from the university, with the Peking University credential opening doors throughout Chinese society. Starting salaries and career trajectories for graduates typically exceed those from other institutions. The alumni network extends through every sector of Chinese business, government, and academia, providing connections that support careers throughout professional life. International students leverage their Peking University experience differently, often returning to home countries with China expertise that proves valuable as businesses and governments engage with China's rise. Others remain in China, building careers in the world's second-largest economy. The combination of elite credentials, China knowledge, and Chinese language ability creates distinctive professional positioning in an increasingly China-influenced world.
Campus Location
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