Exploring the University of Pennsylvania School of Arts and Sciences Programs
The University of Pennsylvania School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) stands as the cornerstone of Penn's academic prowess, solidifying its position as a world-renowned research institution. SAS plays a pivotal role in educating students across all 12 of Penn's schools, encompassing a wide array of academic disciplines ranging from anthropology and biology to sociology and South Asian studies.
The Foundation of Scholarly Excellence
The School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) forms the foundation of the scholarly excellence that has established Penn as one of the world's leading research universities. We teach students across all 12 Penn schools, and our academic departments span the reach from anthropology and biology to sociology and South Asian studies.
SAS is divided into three main academic components: The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), The Graduate Division, and the College of Liberal and Professional Studies.
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
The College of Arts and Sciences is the academic home of the majority of Penn undergraduates and provides 60 percent of the courses taken by students in Penn's undergraduate professional schools. The undergraduate division of Penn Arts and Sciences, the College is the academic home for more than 6,200 students and provides a liberal arts foundation for all Penn's undergraduates.
Building on founder Benjamin Franklin’s vision of combining a traditional and practical education, the College of Arts and Sciences was the first colonial institution to teach the sciences, government and commerce, as well as classical subjects such as Latin, literature and philosophy.
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The Graduate Division
The Graduate Division offers doctoral training to over 1,500 candidates in more than 30 graduate programs. The Graduate Division offers post-undergraduate M.A., M.S., and Ph.D. programs. A graduate division was established in 1882 with the appointment of a Faculty of Philosophy. The first fellowship for graduate study was established in 1885, and the first earned Ph.D. was awarded in physics in 1889.
The College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS)
In 1892, the University began offering college courses for teachers, establishing the precursor of today’s College of Liberal and Professional Studies, the Ivy League’s oldest continuing education program. In 1933, the College of Liberal Arts for Women was established, offering women a full-time, four-year undergraduate degree program in the liberal arts.
A Commitment to Building and Applying Knowledge
Dean Mark Trodden talks about Penn Arts & Sciences’ commitment to building and applying knowledge in a moment of sweeping change for society and higher education. Today, the School of Arts & Sciences released “SAS Horizons: Pathways for a Changing World,” which articulates the School’s purpose and approach, and offers a focused set of priorities and actions. Together, these commitments will help Penn Arts & Sciences navigate a changing world with clarity and intention.
Innovative Programs
SAS is uniquely positioned to provide creative responses to some of today’s greatest challenges, like a changing climate, technologies like AI, healthcare, and an evolving democracy. Several interdisciplinary programs exemplify this commitment.
International Studies
Students earn a B.A. in International Studies from SAS and a B.S. perspective needed for success in an increasingly global economy.
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Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER)
The Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) offers students instruction and state of the art research experiences, enabling them to contine on to advanced degrees in fields of science and engineering. These experiences encourage and foster the pursuit of high-caliber careers as innovators in the discovery and development of sustainable ways to harness, convert and use energy.
Science Majors
in a science major from SAS and a B.S. expanding fields as pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
Necessary skills
skills necessary for engaging it. pre-college experiences.
Rankings and Statistics
University of Pennsylvania is a private institution that was founded in 1740. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of Pennsylvania is ranked No. #7 in National Universities. It's also ranked No. #5 in Lowest Acceptance Rates. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 10,013 (fall 2024), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 299 acres. The student-faculty ratio at University of Pennsylvania is 8:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. The school's tuition and fees are $71,236. Forty-six percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $26,138. The four-year graduation rate is 86%. Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $90,555.
Notable Recognition
I. Joseph Kroll Named Fay R. and Eugene L. Bonini, Florence R.C. Murray Professor of Biology, and colleagues were honored with the Sean M. The Professor of Mathematics delivered the MAA-SIAM-AMS Hrabowski-Gates-Tapia-McBay (HGTM) Lecture in honor of his work to make the field more inclusive.
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A Historic Foundation
The School’s early history is intertwined with the first years of the University of Pennsylvania, which was established in 1740.
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