Temple University: A Comprehensive Look at Rankings, Academics, and Reputation

Temple University, a public state-related research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has a rich history and a strong commitment to providing educational opportunities for a diverse student body. Founded in 1884 by Russell Conwell, Temple has grown from a humble night school into a global institution with a wide range of academic programs and a vibrant campus life. This article delves into Temple's rankings, academic strengths, reputation, and student experience, offering a comprehensive overview for prospective students and anyone interested in learning more about this dynamic university.

A Historical Overview

Temple University's origins can be traced back to 1884 when Russell Conwell, a Philadelphia minister, began tutoring young working men in night classes. In 1888, he officially founded "The Temple College," with a vision to provide educational opportunities for motivated students regardless of their background or financial means. The institution continued to evolve, and in 1907, it reincorporated as Temple University. In 1965, Temple became a state-related institution, receiving state funds while maintaining independent operation. Temple’s more than 35,000 students continue to follow its official motto - “Perseverantia Vincit”, or “Perseverance Conquers”.

Over the years, Temple has expanded its physical presence and academic offerings. The Ambler Junior College of Temple University was formed by merging the Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for Women with Temple University, creating Temple University Ambler. Today, Temple has nine campuses, ranging across urban and suburban Philadelphia to branches in Rome and Japan. Its main campus is in the heart of Philadelphia, the largest city in Pennsylvania and the fifth largest in the US.

Rankings and Recognition

Temple University consistently receives recognition in national university rankings, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence and student success. In the most recent U.S. News & World Report rankings, Temple is ranked among the top 100 national universities. For example, Temple is ranked No. 98 in the most recent rankings, which were released Tuesday, Sept. 24. The university also ranks No. 46 in the category of Top Public Schools. Notably, Temple has demonstrated strong performance in outcome measures such as graduation rates, further solidifying its reputation as a leading institution. Temple is also ranked No. 72 in the Best Value category.

U.S. News & World Report began publishing annual "Best Colleges" rankings since 1983 and has placed a greater weight on the outcome measures of quality, such as graduation rates, graduation rate performance, and social mobility, de-emphasized admissions data, and dropped measures such as acceptance rates and alumni giving rates. To that point, Temple ranked No. 33 out of 434 institutions in the graduation rate performance metric. This metric is scored by calculating how a school's actual graduation rate exceeds its predicted graduation rate. The predicted rates are modeled from students’ socioeconomic and academic backgrounds.

Temple University's status as Philadelphia’s public research university has always been a point of great pride for the institution. News and World Report ranking, Temple ranks No. 49 in the category of Top Public Schools. Temple is also ranked No. 102 in the national universities category and No. 81 in the Best Value category.

Academic Strengths

Temple University offers a diverse range of academic programs across its 17 schools and colleges, catering to a wide array of interests and career aspirations. With over 640+ academic programs and over 160 undergraduate majors, students have ample opportunities to explore their passions and develop expertise in their chosen fields. Temple has a reputation as a leader in professional education, being among the largest US universities in terms of numbers educated in the combined fields of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, podiatry and law.

Several programs within Temple have received specific recognition for their excellence. The Fox School of Business had its undergraduate programs of Insurance (No. 4), International Business (No. 12) and Management Information Systems (No. 14) cited in the rankings. The College of Liberal Arts’ Psychology program was ranked No. 68 in the best undergraduate psychology category, while The College of Public Health had its nursing program rank No. 96 in the best undergraduate nursing category.

The Fox School offers 15 undergraduate majors, 19 minors, 10 professional master's programs, and two PhD programs, and the school has a variety of international partnerships. The College of Liberal Arts at Temple University includes 28 academic departments, offering 35 undergraduate majors and 36 minors.

Noteworthy Colleges and Schools

The Fox School of Business: Established in 1918, it was named in honor of Richard J. Fox. Known for its strong undergraduate and graduate programs in business and management.
The College of Liberal Arts: Offers a wide range of humanities, social sciences, and interdisciplinary programs.
The Klein College of Media and Communication: Founded in 1927, is one of the largest and most comprehensive schools of media and communication in the country. The school has about 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students, more than 20,000+ alumni, and more than 60 full-time faculty members.
The Lewis Katz School of Medicine: Founded in 1901, making it one of the oldest schools at Temple University. It was Pennsylvania's first co-educational medical school and is one of seven medical schools in the state that confers the Doctor of Medicine degree.
The Boyer College of Music and Dance: Areas of study include Instrumental and Voice studies, Jazz studies, Music Theory, Music History, Music Composition, Music Technology, Music Therapy, Music Education, and Dance.
The Temple University School of Pharmacy: Located at Temple's Health Science Campus, is one of six schools of pharmacy in Pennsylvania conferring the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. It also confers the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Master of Science M.S.
The College of Science and Technology: Houses the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Computer & Information Sciences, Earth & Environmental Science, Mathematics, and Physics.

Campus Life and Student Experience

Temple University offers a vibrant and diverse campus life, with a wide range of activities and organizations to suit every interest. Students at Temple report that "the research and job opportunities are one of the best things here at Temple," and they laud the robust Honors Program and the benefits of "the professional connections [from] having such a big alumni community." Additionally, with offerings across 17 schools and colleges, there are "amazing mentorship/internship opportunities," with even more focused growth coming from Student Professional Organizations (SPOs), which are "like a club for your specific major." All told, "the sheer range of major-minor combinations and skill sets…creates a very unique collaborative environment."

Read also: Is Temple a Good Fit?

The university's location in the heart of Philadelphia provides students with access to a wealth of cultural, recreational, and professional opportunities. Public transportation (SEPTA) buses, subway & regional rail stations all stop on Main Campus. Connections to Amtrak (30th St. Station) and Philadelphia International Airport are easily accessible.

Diversity and Inclusion

Temple has traditionally been known for the high level of ethnic diversity among its student body. At Temple "everyone has their own style," with one student proudly believing this makes them "one of the most unique student bodies I've seen on a college campus." The school is described as having "lots of diversity in things like gender, race, and sexuality," but everyone is linked by being "extremely hard-working students…who all care about their academic career however are all still fun and outgoing." Another student says, "Everyone at Temple truly wants the best for themselves and others, and that is very clear."

Student Support Services

Temple University is committed to supporting the well-being of its students, offering a range of resources and services to promote their academic, personal, and professional success.

Tuttleman Counseling Service operates the Resiliency Resource Center, staffed by undergraduate Psychology interns who facilitate programming and support to peers who visit. Temple students can also access Togetherall, a virtual peer support space that is availble 24/7 and moderated by trained mental health professionals. The Wellness Resource Center coordinates a peer education program for undergraduate students to become nationally-certified peer educators who present workshops and create educational materials for peers on a number of wellness topics, including mental health.

Campus Landmarks

Temple's main campus is in the Cecil B. Moore neighborhood of North Philadelphia, about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north of Center City. Temple's campus has several landmarks. The 110 feet (34 m)-tall Bell Tower is the visual icon of the university and a major campus landmark. Nearby Founder's Garden is the burial place of Russell Conwell, founder and 38-year president of Temple. A bust of Conwell marks his grave. O'Connor Plaza surrounds the Founder's Garden between Polett Walk and Liacouras Walk. Liacouras Walk, named after Temple President Peter J. Liacouras, is the campus' main internal north/south pedestrian corridor.

Read also: Affording Temple

Faculty and Instruction

Students say of the faculty that "it's evident that they genuinely love what they do, and this enthusiasm is contagious." They "show…pride in their specialties" and "have a ton of work experience and most still work in their field so they can give you up-to-date information on what's going on." A student testifies, "They are all extremely well-credited and amazing teachers." The flipped classroom approach is often used "to provide more time for questions and participation in lecture," and the curriculum includes the "teaching of modern technologies important for the job market." There are also "frequent guest lectures at multiple academic departments that give students opportunities to connect and network…"

The student-faculty ratio at Temple University is 12:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Temple University accepts the Common Application and has a test-optional admissions policy.

Affordability and Financial Aid

Temple University is committed to making education accessible and affordable for students from all backgrounds. Sixty-five percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $23,742. The school's in-state tuition and fees are $23,723; out-of-state tuition and fees are $40,144.

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