UPenn Housing Costs

$12,640 On-Campus Room Typical Cost

$6,534 On-Campus Meals Typical Cost

$1,358 Books & Supplies Typical Cost

$3,070 Other Living Expenses Typical Cost

What is the Cost of Living at UPenn?

Room, board, and other expenses can add up to a significant amount. How much does this school charge for these necessities at University of Pennsylvania.

On this page you will find:

Living Expenses Outline
Room & Board Trends and Total Expenses
Meal Plans and Housing Requirements
References

Living Expenses at UPenn

This school offers students separate housing and dining options. The on-campus housing charge for an average student was $12,640 in 2026, and the cost of a typical dining plan was $6,534. When you add it all up, an on-campus student at University of Pennsylvania faced a yearly bill of about $26,672 in 2026 across housing, dining, books and other living expenses.

The table below shows the expected costs of on-campus and off-campus housing and dining plans for University of Pennsylvania.

Expense	On Campus	Off Campus
Room and Board	$22,244	$21,430
— Housing	$12,640
— Meals	$6,534
Other Living Expenses	$3,070	$3,070
Books and Supplies	$1,358	$1,358
Total	$26,672	$25,858

Room & Board Over Four Years? Projected Four-Year Cost: $114,316

Housing and dining costs rarely hold still from one year to the next. Knowing where it is headed helps you budget for the full degree, not just year one.

At the projected rate, four years of on-campus living costs would total roughly $114,316 for living costs.

Here is how combined on-campus room and board has moved over the last few reported years, with a projection of where it is headed, at University of Pennsylvania.

Year	Room & Board
Three Years Ago	$20,230
Two Years Ago	$20,928
One Year Ago	$21,566
Most Recent Year (2026)	$22,244
One Year From Now *	$22,982
Two Years From Now *	$23,744
Three Years From Now *	$24,532
Four Years From Now *	$25,346

* estimated

Room and board changed an average of 3.3% each year. If that pace holds, room and board would land around $27,410 in housing, food and other costs their first year.

At this pace, a senior would spend approximately $29,774 for a bachelor’s degree, while a two-year (associate) student would pay around $28,172 by the end of a two-year program.

Across all four years, on-campus living costs would total approximately $114,316 for a four-year degree, versus about $55,582 for a two-year stay.

Plan for Cost Creep

Room and board tends to rise year over year at most schools, so a freshman should expect to pay more by senior year.

Answers to Questions About Living and Dining at UPenn

Not all meal plans work the same way. This school structures its plans by meals per week, and the table below lists the largest plan offered. Wondering whether you may be required to live on campus? See the table below for on-campus housing details.