The University of Pennsylvania (Penn), located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is one of the most prestigious Ivy League universities in the United States. Founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin, Penn embodies his vision of combining classical education with a focus on public service and professional training. Known for its academic excellence, Penn houses four undergraduate schools—The College of Arts & Sciences, School of Engineering and Applied Science, The Wharton School, and School of Nursing—and 12 graduate and professional schools, including the Perelman School of Medicine, Penn Carey Law School, and the Graduate School of Education. With over 90 majors and 80 minors, it fosters interdisciplinary learning and innovation. A leader in research, Penn ranks among the top U.S. universities in research funding and is home to pioneering centers like Penn Medicine and the Penn Center for Innovation. The first general-purpose digital computer, ENIAC, was developed at Penn in 1946. Its 299-acre urban campus blends historic architecture with modern facilities in the vibrant University City neighborhood, welcoming a diverse student body of over 25,000 from all 50 U.S. states and more than 100 countries. Guided by the motto "Leges sine Moribus vanae" (Laws without morals are useless), Penn emphasizes ethics, leadership, and social responsibility, providing numerous community service and global engagement opportunities. Its distinguished alumni network includes prominent figures like Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Warren Buffett, and Noam Chomsky, with over 300,000 alumni worldwide driving innovation and societal impact. Consistently ranked among the top 10 universities globally, Penn, including its world-renowned Wharton School, continues to advance knowledge, shape future leaders, and address modern global challenges.
