Temple University
A big, state-related R1 university on North Broad Street in Philadelphia, with campuses in Rome and Tokyo.
- Acceptance rate
- 86%
- First-year students entering fall 2025 (Common Data Set 2025-26)
- Students
- 29,204
- 21,031 undergraduates
- International
- 4%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 15:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- $37,698
- From · 2026-27
About Temple
Temple University grew out of night classes that Baptist minister Russell Conwell began teaching in 1884 at his Philadelphia church, and it still carries that open-door, working-city identity. Since 1965 it has been a Pennsylvania state-related university: it receives state funding but is independently run. It is an R1 research university on North Broad Street, and in fall 2025 its Pennsylvania campuses enrolled 29,204 students, 21,031 of them undergraduates. Temple also runs campuses in Rome and in Japan.
Seventeen schools and colleges, including five professional schools, offer more than 160 majors. Well-known units include the Fox School of Business and Management, the Tyler School of Art and Architecture, the Klein College of Media and Communication, the Boyer College of Music and Dance and the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts. Strong applicants are considered automatically for the Sullivan Honors College. Students can also start their degree abroad through the Temple Rome and Temple Japan entry programs.
Admission is broad: Temple admitted 36,922 of 42,824 first-year applicants for fall 2025, and more than 75 percent of applicants apply test-optional. It suits students who want a large, diverse, genuinely urban campus. Half of the fall 2026 entering class are first-generation college students.
Perseverantia Vincit
“Perseverance wins” — university motto
Why students choose Temple
A real city campus in Philadelphia, the sixth-largest U.S. city, with more than 440 clubs and organizations and 18 NCAA Division I teams.
Entry-year programs let first-years begin their degree at Temple's own campuses in Rome or Japan before continuing in Philadelphia.
Test-optional applicants are considered equally for merit scholarships and for the Sullivan Honors College, with no separate honors application.
Media, arts and business strengths through the Klein College of Media and Communication, the Tyler School of Art and Architecture and the Fox School.
Admissions
First-year students entering fall 2025 (Common Data Set 2025-26)
36,922 admitted from 42,824 applicants
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
5,303 first-years enrolled in fall 2025. For the Class of 2030 (entering fall 2026), Temple reports a record 48,351 applicants, more than 38,000 offers and 5,527 enrolled students. Some majors in music and dance, art and architecture, and theater, film and media arts require auditions, interviews or portfolios; pre-nursing and musical theater keep firm deadlines.
Typical entry requirements
| U.S. high school curriculum | Recommended: 4 units English, 4 college-prep math, 2 of one foreign language, 3 history/social studies, 3 science (2 with lab), 1 arts and 3 other college-prep courses |
|---|---|
| International secondary education | Official transcripts with English translations; Temple reviews grades 9-11 plus current progress in the final year (predicted or final results) |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 79 University admission requires TOEFL iBT 79 (4.0 on the new scale, no sub-score below 4.0), IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 110, PTE 53, Cambridge 180 or SAT EBRW 550. Slightly lower scores (for example TOEFL 74-78, IELTS 5.5) can lead to full admission through the Bridge Program. Exempt if English is your native language or you have completed three or more years in an English-only curriculum. |
Deadlines
- Early Action Non-binding Next deadline · In 26 daysNovember 1, 2026
Non-binding. Decision by January 10. Temple says Early Action applicants are generally admitted at a higher rate and get priority review.
- Regular Decision Non-binding In ~4 monthsFebruary 1, 2027
Decision shortly after your file is complete; during peak season this can take more than eight weeks. FAFSA priority deadline also February 1. Enrollment deposit due May 1.
Temple's first-year page states the 2027 application is open via the Common App and lists Early Action on November 1 and Regular Decision on February 1; the pre-nursing and musical theater deadlines are not extended.
How to apply
Common App only; $55 fee (waivable); self-reported grades through STARS for U.S. high school students; optional essay (recommended); optional SAT/ACT; up to two optional recommendation letters; auditions, interviews or portfolios for some arts majors; international applicants send official transcripts and English test scores.
What admissions looks for
- A well-rounded academic record, with rigor of your courses and GPA weighted most heavily.
- What you do outside class: activities, talent, volunteer and work experience are all considered.
- An optional but recommended essay that tells Temple more about you than grades and scores.
- For arts majors, the audition, interview or portfolio required by Boyer, Tyler or the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts.
Tips for applying to Temple
- 1 Apply Early Action by November 1: it is non-binding, gets you a decision by January 10 and, according to Temple, a higher admit rate and an earlier start on housing selection.
- 2 Decide carefully whether to go test-optional on the Common App, because the choice is locked once you receive a decision.
- 3 Complete your STARS self-reported record promptly; a transcript alone does not complete a U.S. applicant's file.
- 4 Write the optional essay: it is your main chance to add context, and Temple recommends everyone complete it.
- 5 Philadelphia residents graduating in 2027 with family income of $65,000 or less should file the FAFSA by February 1, 2027 to be considered for the new Temple Promise grant.
What are your chances?
Sign up to see your personalized admission chances for Temple University
Sign up to see your chancesCosts & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in USD
Temple awards need-based aid through the FAFSA (priority deadline February 1) and merit scholarships, which more than half of recent students were offered, ranging from $1,000 to full tuition; test-optional applicants are equally eligible. The new Temple Promise, starting fall 2027, is a last-dollar grant covering remaining in-state tuition and fees for admitted Philadelphia residents with family income of $65,000 or less. International first-years can receive merit scholarships of up to $20,000 a year for four years with no separate application, plus #WhyUS creative-prompt scholarships of $2,000 to $10,000.
- 63.9%
- Average need met, first-year need-based aid recipients (CDS 2025-26)
- $19,252
- Average need-based grant, first-years with need (CDS 2025-26)
- 624 students, averaging $17,619 (merit-based only)
- International undergraduates receiving institutional aid (CDS 2025-26)
- Up to $20,000 a year for up to four years
- International first-year merit scholarships
- $48,160 (PA resident, Liberal Arts) to $73,552 (non-resident, Fox School)
- 2026-27 anticipated cost of attendance
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Klein College of Media and Communication
One of the largest media and communication schools in the U.S., founded in 1927, with about 3,000 students.
Fox School of Business and Management
Temple's largest school by enrollment, with 5,341 students in fall 2025.
Tyler School of Art and Architecture
Portfolio-based art, design and architecture programs inside a major research university.
Temple Rome and Temple Japan entry programs
Start your first year at Temple's own campuses in Rome or Tokyo before continuing in Philadelphia.
Sullivan Honors College
Every applicant is automatically considered, including those who apply test-optional.
Research
- Carnegie R1 (very high research spending and doctorate production).
- An academic health system including the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Kornberg School of Dentistry, School of Pharmacy and Temple University Hospital.
- Charles Library, designed by Snohetta and opened in 2019, holds some 4 million physical items with an automated retrieval system.
Schools & faculties
- College of Liberal Arts
- College of Science and Technology
- Fox School of Business and Management
- College of Engineering
- Klein College of Media and Communication
- Tyler School of Art and Architecture
- Boyer College of Music and Dance
- School of Theater, Film and Media Arts
- College of Public Health
- College of Education and Human Development
- School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management
- Sullivan Honors College
College Scorecard: median earnings of $63,727 ten years after entry and $50,860 six years after entry for federally aided students.
Student life
Temple's main campus sits on North Broad Street, organized around the 110-foot Bell Tower, Liacouras Walk and the Howard Gittis Student Center, with Charles Library as its newest landmark. On-campus housing is guaranteed for first-years who commit by May 1, and selection is first-come, first-served. More than 440 clubs and organizations, Owls athletics at the Liacouras Center and the whole of Philadelphia shape student life. The student body is notably diverse and local: one in four incoming students is from Philadelphia and about half are first-generation college students.
- 440+ clubs and organizations.
- 18 NCAA Division I teams competing as the Temple Owls in the American Athletic Conference.
- Study abroad at Temple's own campuses in Rome (Piazza di Spagna) and Japan (Tokyo).
- Founder's Garden near the Bell Tower is the resting place of founder Russell Conwell.
Housing. On-campus housing is guaranteed for first-year students who commit by May 1, with rooms chosen first-come, first-served.
Location
Temple's main campus is on North Broad Street in North Philadelphia, north of Center City. Philadelphia is the sixth-largest U.S. city, so museums, music venues, internships in health, media and business, and pro sports are all within reach, and a quarter of Temple's incoming students are Philadelphia locals. It is a genuinely urban setting: expect city living rather than a campus bubble.
Nearest airport: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Notable alumni
- DJ Da'Vine Joy RandolphAcademy Award-winning actress; graduated 2008 after switching to musical theatre
- CD Colman DomingoTwo-time Academy Award-nominated actor and playwright; studied journalism
- AM Adam McKayDirector of Anchorman and Oscar-winning writer of The Big Short; studied English (did not graduate)
- DH Daryl HallCo-founder of Hall & Oates; studied music at Temple
- JO John OatesCo-founder of Hall & Oates; attended Temple and wrestled for the Owls
- BS Bob SagetComedian and Full House actor; attended Temple's film school
- JF John F. Street97th Mayor of Philadelphia; JD from Temple
- ML Mark LevinRadio host and author; BA from Temple Ambler (1977) and JD from Temple Law (1980)
Frequently asked questions
What is Temple University's acceptance rate?
Temple admitted 36,922 of 42,824 first-year applicants for fall 2025, about 86%. For fall 2026 it received a record 48,351 applications and made more than 38,000 offers.
Is Temple University test-optional?
Yes, and has been since 2015; more than 75% of applicants apply without scores. Test-optional applicants are equally considered for merit scholarships and the Sullivan Honors College.
When are Temple's application deadlines?
For fall 2027, non-binding Early Action closes November 1, 2026 with decisions by January 10, and Regular Decision closes February 1, 2027. Temple uses only the Common App.
How much does Temple cost for out-of-state and international students?
For 2026-27, non-resident tuition and fees run from about $37,698 (College of Liberal Arts) to $46,866 (Fox School), and the full anticipated cost of attendance is $64,384 to $73,552. Pennsylvania residents pay about $21,474 to $26,322 in tuition and fees.
Does Temple give scholarships to international students?
Yes. International first-years are automatically considered for merit scholarships of up to $20,000 a year for four years, and can enter the #WhyUS creative-prompt competition for $2,000 to $10,000 more.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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