Temple University

Yes, TU is online, offering over three dozen undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificate programs students complete entirely remotely. NCES data shows that 9% of undergraduates and 17% of graduates participate in distance-only education. TU’s online curriculum aims to help prepare students for an increasingly competitive 21st-century job market. 

Examples of online bachelor’s degrees include accounting, social work, and human resource management. Online master’s degrees include sport business, epidemiology, communication management, and travel and tourism, among others.

No, TU is not a religious college. It is a public institution.

Yes, TU is a good school and is on ten of our college rankings lists, including #3 for Best Online Master’s in Communication Programs, #5 for Best Online Digital Marketing Degrees, and #6 for Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania. According to College Scorecard, the median earnings for graduates are higher than average at approximately $60,300, and TU has an 87% retention rate of students who return after their first year.

TU also has a favorable institutional accreditation status. TU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This favorable accreditation status signifies that MSCHE finds TU’s financial practices sound and its academic programming meets federal quality standards. Additionally, 24 industry-specific agencies programmatically accredit TU for various degree programs, including pharmacy, public health, medical education, and physical therapy.

To provide the most trustworthy results, OnlineU only includes accredited online institutions on its site. 

TU is known for being one of the largest schools in the U.S. It is considered an RI university for its high research activity, as designated by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. This distinction is only awarded to 4% of U.S. institutes of higher learning. Research endeavors at TU have led to breakthroughs, such as eliminating HIV from human immune cells, the potential to prevent the flu, protection against concussion, and the reversal of heart failure in mice.

TU is also known for being diverse. While just over 50% of its student body identifies as White, 15% as Black, 13% as Asian, 9% as Hispanic, and 4% as two or more races, according to College Scorecard data. This diversity lends itself to sharing different perspectives and experiences, which can make for a more colorful and informed educational experience.

TU’s bachelor’s degrees in computer and information science, electrical/electronics communications engineering, management sciences, nursing, and mechanical engineering provide the highest earnings. Graduates in these fields earn median annual salaries of approximately $80,000 and higher. While these degrees are unavailable online, degrees with potentially similar outcomes may include an online Bachelor in Business Administration, such as business management or supply chain management.

Additionally, OnlineU's proprietary Salary Score ranks colleges by how much their alumni earn compared to graduates with the same degree nationwide. Out of 100 total points, TU has a bachelor’s Salary Score of 58, 48 for its master’s, and 61 for its doctoral degrees. Its bachelor’s degree in business administration has a high salary score of 85.

College Scorecard data shows TU has a 72% acceptance rate. Overall, TU takes a holistic approach to the application review process, considering GPA, writing ability, and participation in extracurricular activities. You should always consider your previous academic performance when picking a college.

Additionally, when answering this question, it is helpful to know that TU is a test-optional school. In other words, entrance exams, such as the SAT and ACT, are not required. If you take entrance exams and feel they accurately reflect your academic ability when your GPA may not, you may choose to submit your test scores. Students who submit entrance exam scores at TU have average combined SAT scores of 1273 and ACT scores of 28.

You need at least a 3.0 GPA to get into TU. However, the average GPA for accepted first-year students is generally around 3.4. When applying to college online, it helps to meet with an admission advisor early to ensure you have everything you need and meet all minimum requirements. This may also give you time to improve your GPA or take entrance exams in order to increase your chances of acceptance.

Although individual degree programs may have additional requirements, TU’s admission requirements for first-year students are straightforward and generally include the following:

• An application
• A $55 application fee
• Official high school transcripts, with at least a B average (3.0 GPA)
• Official college transcripts, if transferring credits
• Official military transcripts, if applicable
• Letter(s) of recommendation (optional)
• A college essay (optional)
• SAT/ACT scores (optional)
• A list of extracurricular activities (optional)

Fulfilling optional requirements can boost your chances of acceptance, depending on your previous academic experience, your chosen field of interest, and the program's competitiveness.

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