What Kind of University It Is
Carnegie, the system that classifies U.S. universities by what they do, places Temple among doctoral institutions with the highest research activity. It is a public school offering programs of four years or more, and the highest level it reports offering is the doctorate. That is an institutional fact: it does not tell you exactly what credential is offered by the program your child is interested in. That must be asked program by program.
It is also classified, using 2019-20 data, as a large, primarily nonresidential institution. That label applies when fewer than 25 out of every 100 degree-seeking undergraduate students live in institution-owned housing, or when fewer than half attend full time. The data do not say which of the two conditions was met, nor do they mean that there are no residence halls—there are, as you will see later. It simply means that if your child plans to commute from home, what must be counted here is not just tuition: it is the bus, gasoline, and hours on the road.
Temple also appears, in the 2021 classification, among institutions that receive many transfer students. If your child plans to come here after studying somewhere else, that is a sign that there is substantial movement into this school—but the label does not say how many credits people bring with them or how many are lost in the transfer. Ask for that in writing before enrolling.
Geographically, Temple is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia County, within the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metropolitan area. The census code places it in a large city with a population of 250,000 or more. That does not tell you whether the campus is right downtown or what the daily commute is like. If your child plans to live at home, drive the route yourself on a weekday at the exact time of your child’s classes. The actual travel time is almost never what the map says.
One note worth clarifying at the outset: Temple University has none of these three federal designations—it is not a historically Black college or university (HBCU), a tribal college or university, or a land-grant institution. They are three distinct categories with different histories, and only 138 of the 3,012 universities in this census have any of the three. Temple’s absence from that list says nothing about which students it serves or how your child will feel there. Ask directly: what cultural centers exist today, which student organizations are active, and, better yet, speak with someone who already studies there.
A Large Community, and Where Your Child Fits Within It
In the fall of 2023, Temple reported total enrollment of 30,205 students. That is an enormous figure—it falls in the highest band used by the government, 20,000 or more—and compared with 519 similar selective public schools, it is on the large side: only between one and three out of every ten schools in that group have more students.
But that large number contains something worth separating: 21,720 are undergraduate students and 8,485 are graduate students. If your child is entering a bachelor’s degree program, the number that matters is 21,720, not the total of 30,205. A substantial share of that enormous total consists of people who have already completed a degree and returned for another one.
Among undergraduates, 10 out of every 100 students are Hispanic or Latino. That is a small minority. Compared with 519 similar selective public schools, Temple is above the midpoint of the group without reaching the top quartile—neither the worst sign nor the best. That comparison has a real limitation: peers are grouped by type of school, not by state, and the comparison does not adjust for Temple’s region of the country, which matters here. Put plainly, Latinos are few on this campus. That does not remove the school from your list, but if this matters to you, ask during your visit what specifically exists for Latino students—a student group, a cultural center, or someone in the office who speaks Spanish.
Other community data: there are more women than men (56 out of every 100), and students ages 25 to 64 are a minority, at 8 out of every 100. Where incoming students came from was not reported for this school in this cycle.
How the Academic Year Works and What Prior Credit It Accepts
Temple operates on semesters: two long terms of about 15 weeks each, with fixed dates for everyone. That is already something certain you can plan around.
Temple stated that it accepts credit from AP examinations, as well as what IPEDS calls credit for life experience—learning acquired through independent study, adult courses, work experience, a portfolio, licenses or certifications, or military or professional experience. It also reports accepting credit for military training. And it enrolls high school students in college courses for credit through a formal dual-enrollment program.
Here is the hard truth I cannot soften: Temple’s statement that it accepts AP does not mean it will grant credit for every exam. The report does not say what scores are required, how many credits are awarded, or whether those credits count toward your child’s specific degree program. Ask for the equivalency evaluation in writing before enrolling. Do not budget for the savings until you have it in hand.
The Academic Offerings: Broad, Without a Single Field Taking Everything
In a single year, Temple awarded 5,567 bachelor’s degrees across 28 program families (some of those rows may report zero degrees that year). The family that awarded the most degrees was business and management, with 22 out of every 100 degrees—a clear lead, but not a monopoly: no other program family surpassed it, but it did not account for the majority either.
Compared with 514 similar selective public schools, Temple is in the quartile with the most program families represented in its bachelor’s degree detail. Its offerings are broad. But 28 families with rows in the report do not mean 28 guaranteed majors: a family groups several programs, and a row may have zero degrees that year. Verify the exact program your child is interested in by name.
The official student-to-instructional-staff ratio is 12 to 1. Compared with 519 similar schools, Temple is in the bottom quartile—a low ratio. But be careful: this figure does not tell you the actual size of first-year classes. It is an institution-wide aggregate, not a promise of personalized attention.
Temple also reports structured opportunities: study abroad, undergraduate research, a complete program that can be taken entirely in the evening or on weekends, and pathways to teacher certification, including state approval for initial certification.
Getting Into Temple: What It Requires and How Accessible It Is
Temple does not have open admission. It reviews specific components before saying yes. Of nine possible considerations (excluding standardized tests and legacy status), it marks four as required: the high school record, grade point average, completion of the required college-preparatory coursework, and an English proficiency examination when applicable. Other components are not required but are considered if submitted: class rank, a personal essay, letters of recommendation, work experience, and whether a family member attended the university.
That last one—legacy status—is something your child cannot change. If it does not apply, do not spend energy on it. Spend that energy on what is within your child’s control: the academic record, the essay, and the letters.
The undergraduate application fee is $55.
How selective is it in practice? In the 2023 cycle, Temple received 36,399 first-time applications and offered admission to 30,181 applicants. That is 83 out of every 100—a common percentage among its peers, just above the midpoint. Viewed the other way, 6,218 applicants did not receive an offer. That is a large number in absolute terms, even though the admission rate is high. For your child, this means there is a real reason to apply and also a real reason to prepare the application completely and submit it on time. That 83% comes from a single cycle, not a fixed rule: when it is your child’s turn, check the figure for the relevant year again.
Here is a figure that may surprise you: out of every 100 students admitted, only 12 enrolled. The other 88 do not appear as enrolled at Temple that term—the data do not say whether they went to another school or what they did. Compared with its 519 peers, Temple is on the low side for this indicator. Do not read it as a blemish: the fact that most admitted students did not enroll says nothing about the school’s quality, only that many people who received a yes chose something else. What others decided does not tell you what Temple will offer you. Wait for your letter showing the net price—what the year will actually cost—before deciding whether this school stays on your list.
Regarding standardized tests, Temple reported that it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admission decision, even if you submit them. This designation does not cover scholarships or placement—ask about those separately.
And regarding transfers: in a cohort of students who entered in 2017, only 12 out of every 100 appeared as having transferred to another school within 150% of normal time. Compared with 395 peers, Temple is on the low side—few leave. At the same time, in the fall of 2023, 1,008 undergraduate students entered Temple for the first time after studying elsewhere: there is a substantial incoming flow. If your child plans to transfer into Temple, ask for the list of accepted courses in writing before making the move—this figure counts people, not credits.
The Cost: Two Prices, With a Large Gap Between Them
For the 2023-24 year, Temple reported a cost of attendance of $44,756 for first-time, full-time undergraduate students living on campus and paying the in-state rate. At the out-of-state rate, it rises to $60,136. It is a budget used to calculate aid, not a literal bill.
| Item | In-state rate | Out-of-state rate |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | $22,082 | $37,462 |
| Housing and food | $16,968 | $16,968 |
| Books and supplies | $1,240 | $1,240 |
| Total cost of attendance | $44,756 | $60,136 |
The difference between the two rates is $15,380 per year. Ask the institution exactly what requirements it uses to classify a student as a resident and when they take effect—the rules are not the same everywhere.
Compared with 483 similar schools, this cost of attendance at the in-state rate is among the highest in the group. That is a hard fact: Temple is not among the inexpensive public universities in its peer category, even for someone who lives in the same state.
Net Price: What Families Actually Pay, Based on Income
At Temple University, among 486 first-time, full-time, credential-seeking students who received federal Title IV aid and paid the in-state or in-district rate, and whose EFC records showed family income below $30,000, the average net price was $23,080. Among 352 students in the same population with EFC family income from $48,001 to $75,000, it was $28,493; among 754 students with EFC family income above $110,000, it was $34,632. For dependent students, the band combines their parents’ income with their own.
The difference between the average for the lowest-income band (486 students) and the average for the highest-income band (754 students) is $11,552. Among first-year students who received any grant or scholarship aid, the average was $29,641.
Among the 519 schools of the same type and control included in this census that reported this figure with the same time coverage, Temple falls in the most expensive quartile for the lowest-income families. That does not mean it should be ruled out. It means you need to request the financial aid letter before deciding.
The income bands in this profile describe first-time, full-time, credential-seeking students who received federal Title IV aid; at this public institution, the in-state or in-district rate is used. The overall average for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, when shown, describes first-time, full-time, credential-seeking students who received federal, state, local, or institutional grants or scholarships; it also uses that rate. If your family lives outside the state or district, the calculation is different. Ask for it before applying.
Aid and Loans: What Is Given and What Must Be Repaid
Out of every 100 degree-seeking students at Temple, 78 received some grant or scholarship aid that does not have to be repaid. Among those who received it, the average was $10,702—that average includes only those who received something; it is not spread across all students.
The Pell Grant, for low-income families, reached 31 out of every 100. That is a real gap: aid overall reaches the majority, but aid tied directly to family income reaches fewer than one-third. The difference may come from other sources—state or institutional—and this breakdown does not show which ones. Ask which programs account for that difference.
Regarding loans, 55 out of every 100 undergraduate students received a federal loan in the 2022-23 year. Compared with 519 peers, Temple is on the high side—financing with debt is common here, not the exception. Among those who borrowed, the average amount per borrower that year was $6,427. If your child borrowed a similar amount in each of four years, the total would be close to $25,708, not including interest—and that calculation should be made before the first signature, not at the end.
That average covers only federal loans in the student’s name. It does not include Parent PLUS loans signed by parents, bank debt, or credit cards. Nor is it the total debt carried upon graduation—that would require adding up all four years, and that figure is not in this report.
This percentage describes other families, not yours. The amount your child would need to borrow comes from your child’s own financial aid letter. Wait for that letter before committing to the school.
Temple also reports a prepaid tuition plan and an installment payment plan as formal mechanisms for managing the cost.
Campus Life: Housing, ROTC, Sports, and the Library
Temple does have institution-controlled housing, with a reported maximum capacity of 5,061 students, on or off campus. No first-time, full-time student is universally required to live there—that rules out a universal requirement; it does not mean that no program has one. Temple also offers meal plans, but the number of meals per week varies by plan. The published typical charges for the full year are $9,216 for housing and $4,970 for food. The existence of the option does not guarantee space: ask in writing for the rate, the application deadline, and whether you are guaranteed a place or put on a waiting list.
Regarding ROTC, Temple indicated that an opportunity is available, with the Army branch confirmed in writing. Navy and Air Force are not marked—unconfirmed does not mean impossible; it means you must ask directly and confirm whether the program is offered on this campus or another one.
Temple competes in intercollegiate athletics and is affiliated with the NCAA (for football, basketball, and cross-country or track and field, according to the specific sports report). The other associations are not marked. This membership belongs to the school, not your child: if your child is interested in a sport, write directly to the coach and ask about roster space, division, and whether athletic scholarships are available.
Temple offers distance education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, although only 4 out of every 100 undergraduate students take all their classes that way—the overwhelming majority, 96 out of every 100, take at least one class in person. It also reports at least one complete program that can be taken through distance education; confirm whether that program exists at the degree level and in the field your child is interested in.
The library operates with paid staff, annual expenditures above the $100,000 threshold tracked by the government, physical and digital materials, and interlibrary lending. Exceeding that threshold does not guarantee that it has databases specific to your child’s field—ask about that by program name.
Temple also reports combined academic and career counseling services, employment services for current students, placement services for graduates, participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program for veterans, a dedicated point of contact for military service members and their families, and a published web address for services for people with disabilities. The fact that these services are reported says nothing about their quality or effectiveness—you learn that by speaking with someone who already uses them.
Students Stay, and Most Graduate—but the Timeline Matters
Of the full-time cohort that entered in the fall of 2022, 83 out of every 100 were still enrolled at Temple or had already graduated one year later. Compared with 519 peers, Temple is near the top: it retains a larger share than most comparable schools. Part-time students, a much smaller cohort that same fall, had an outcome of 66 out of every 100—these are different groups with different lives and should not be treated as though they were comparable.
Regarding graduation, of the cohort that entered in 2017, 75 out of every 100 had a degree in hand within six years. But within four years—the period most families budget for—the figure was 57 out of every 100, or 18 points lower. The data do not say how many semesters each person attended and do not report tuition, rent, or wages. Compared with 518 peers, Temple is in the top quartile for six-year graduation—a solid position relative to comparable schools.
Within those exact numbers: of the 5,139 students in the cohort, 3,838 graduated here, 637 transferred without completing at Temple, 96 remained enrolled without completing, and 568 were no longer shown as enrolled at the reporting cutoff. Transferring does not mean they did not finish elsewhere; “no longer enrolled” does not say why and may include people who graduated after the measured time limit. Before signing anything, ask in writing how long your child’s specific program usually takes and how its required courses are scheduled.
At eight years, following a broader cohort that entered in 2015-16 (including full-time and part-time students, both first-time students and those with prior experience), 75 out of every 100 had earned a degree or certificate from Temple. Among those who received a Pell Grant, the figure was 67 out of every 100—12 points below those who did not receive one. That gap does not determine what will happen to your child if your child qualifies for Pell today, but it is a reason to ask specific questions: whether an adviser is assigned, whether emergency assistance is available, and whether institutional grants or scholarships are renewed each year. Ask for those answers in writing.
What Comes Next Is Yours
You now know Temple University as deeply as the official data allow: its size, its actual cost by income band, how it admits students, how many stay, how many finish, and on what timeline. It is a complete piece, but it is only one piece.
What remains is what only your child knows: what your child wants to study, how far away your child is willing to live, and how your child feels about the size of a campus with more than 30,000 people. And what remains is what only your family can decide: how much you can pay out of pocket, how much debt you are willing to take on, and whether the gap between the fourth and sixth years fits your budget.
Put those three pieces together and you will have not an opinion about Temple, but a plan. In the meantime, request the financial aid letter before deciding anything, confirm in writing everything marked here as something to ask about, and remember that every number in this article describes past cohorts of students, not your child. Your child writes their own outcome.
Source note: The information in this article comes from data reported by Temple University to the U.S. Department of Education’s IPEDS system for the cycles and periods indicated in each section. Best College Aid does not represent Temple University or the U.S. government, and this article is not a substitute for direct verification with the institution’s admissions or financial aid office.