Admissions
Getting in, fall 2024
Temple admits about 8 in 10 applicants (80%). That puts it in the "Accessible" tier, more selective than 43% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (79% and 81%).
$55 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Where applicants live
Pennsylvania applicants were admitted at 87%, applicants from other states at 88%, and international applicants at 72%.
Of those admitted, 26% from Pennsylvania enrolled, against 8.2% from other states and 7.5% from abroad.
Counted by where applicants lived when they applied, which can differ from who qualifies for in-state tuition. A group's rate reflects who applies from there as well as how the college chooses.
Yield
15% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.
Applying early
Early action (not binding): apply by Nov 1; decisions by Jan 10
No early decision plan.
Where you stand
How Temple reads a record
and GPA are both very important; tests are considered. Scores are optional. 19% of first-years sent an SAT. Most high schools no longer rank; this college doesn't lean on it. Recommends 4 years of math and 3 of science (3 and 2 required). See the years by subject
What they look at
Considers whether an applicant's parent attended (legacy status).
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Not considered | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Considered | ||||
| Essay | Considered | ||||
| Recommendations | Considered | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Not considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Considered | ||||
| Talent or ability | Considered | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Considered | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Considered | ||||
| State residency | Considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program required; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
75% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 80% of first-year applicants
2,954 applied · 2,211 admitted
Transfers may start in the fall and spring.
At least 15 credits completed to apply as a transfer.
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: apply by June 1
- Spring entry: apply by November 1
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Recommended for some
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Not required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Not required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by February 1 for fall 2026.
- Priority date: November 1. Applying by then can matter for scholarships, programs, or housing.
- Decisions are sent on a rolling basis.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1, or within 2 weeks if admitted later.
- $250 housing deposit, due January 1, refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 1 year.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Requires a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | 4 |
| Math | 3 | 4 |
| Science (lab: 1 / 2) | 2 | 3 |
| Foreign language | 2 | 2 |
| Social studies | 2 | 2 |
| History | 1 | 1 |
| Academic electives | 1 | 3 |
| Total | 16 | 20 |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science.
Recent change: Stopped considering legacy status in fall 2024.
Recent change: Became test-optional, for students entering in fall 2027.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1170 on the SAT, right around the national median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
11% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1400 or higher.
16% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
12% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
Shares of the 19% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
At least half of students submitted a score, so the ranges are reasonably representative.
Sources:IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Temple University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;Temple University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;Temple University Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Temple University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)