Who We Are

Founded as a night school by Russell Conwell in 1884, ϲʹ has evolved into an international powerhouse in higher education and a top research institution with over 30,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. Today, our mission remains the same: we prioritize an accessible education and innovation in higher education, groundbreaking research, and celebrating our vibrant community of students, faculty and staff.

Philadelphia’s public university, ϲʹ provides  and serves as an essential resource to the surrounding community.

Our Mission

We are committed to the ideals upon which ϲʹ was founded.

  • Providing access to an excellent, affordable higher education that prepares students for careers, further learning and active citizenship.
  • Creating a collaborative community of outstanding faculty and staff who foster inclusion and encourage the aspirations of ϲʹ students.
  • Promoting service and engagement throughout Philadelphia, the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the nation and the world.

What Sets Us Apart

Learn about just a few things that make ϲʹ the home of limitless potential and endless opportunity by clicking and dragging through the tabs below.

Academics
Alumni
Athletics
Facilities
Faculty
Leadership
Philadelphia
Research
Students

ϲʹ offers students a dynamic and nurturing learning environment with the support of a renowned faculty, dedicated academic advisors focused on setting  and a broad curriculum of . A longtime leader in professional education, ϲʹ is also among the nation’s largest educators in the combined fields of dentistry, law, medicine, pharmacy and podiatry.

ϲʹ also offers a gateway to the world with long-standing international campuses in ԻԻ.

ϲʹ’s alumni are making an impact, one industry at a time. ϲʹ has more than 360,000 graduates around the globe who stay connected and invested in the university and provide mentorship and professional development opportunities to aspiring changemakers in their respective fields.

ϲʹ Athletics provides opportunities for its diverse student-athletes to unlock and maximize their potential, both in and out of the game. Whether you’re catching a basketball game at the or a football game at , all of our  will make you proud to be a ϲʹ Owl.

ϲʹ’s bustling is set against the backdrop of the Philadelphia skyline. Green space and eclectic architecture ranging from the historic ٴٳ state-of-the-art Charles Library form a vibrant residential setting that our students and the surrounding community are proud to call home. 

Learning and research facilities—from the and to our cutting-edge  and —enhance educational experiences and spark innovative ideas. 

Our other campuses also house exceptional facilities, such as the , that empower students to take their education to the next level.

At ϲʹ, students learn from who bring a breadth of real-world experience, research achievements and a passion for their craft to the classroom. With a 12-1 student-faculty ratio, your professors do much more than just convey the subject material. You’ll be guided, mentored and encouraged as you join the next generation of Owls changing the world in your field.

University leadership is integral to the ϲʹ experience.  is the public face of the university and is responsible for supporting and managing all of its academic, administrative and financial operations. Serving alongside the president, the Board of Trustees is ϲʹ’s governing body, responsible for the educational mission and fiscal policies of the university. The trustees also are responsible for electing the university president, adopting an annual plan of financial operation and establishing degrees to be awarded.

Our faculty leverage  to provide real-world experiences that enhance and enrich the academic experience. Students access the city for both the professional and social opportunities it affords. Whether you’re interning in Center City, immersing yourself in the city’s history in Old City, cheering on your favorite sports team at the Philadelphia Sports Complex or visiting an exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art—your life at ϲʹ extends far beyond the walls of campus. 

Investments in the campus learning environment have elevated the university’s capabilities across its 17 schools and colleges with impressive results. In 2015, ϲʹ achieved the , placing it among the most active research universities in the nation. ϲʹ also recently celebrated several milestones, including a Rhodes scholar, a Goldwater scholar, and its largest and brightest graduating class.

At ϲʹ, our 33,000+ students come together with a shared mission: to become the best versions of themselves. Your life at ϲʹ goes beyond attending classes. Whether you immerse yourself in arts and culture, athletic activities, ,ǰ student-run clubs, you’ll make lasting friendships and memories that will shape your future. 

Who We Serve

is a major Philadelphia-based academic health system that is driving medical advances through clinical innovation, pioneering research and world-class education. The health system’s 1,550+ physicians and scientists share a common mission of bringing tomorrow’s treatments to the bedside today, helping them achieve outcomes once thought impossible.

Read more about the doctors, researchers and other medical professionals who are making groundbreaking discoveries and advancing our community.