Temple University: A Comprehensive Overview of Rankings, History, and Academic Programs

Temple University (Temple or TU) is a public state-related research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Today, Temple is the third-largest university in Pennsylvania by enrollment. As of 2024, about 30,005 undergraduate, graduate and professional students were enrolled at the university. Founded in 1884 by Baptist minister Russell Conwell, Temple has evolved from its humble beginnings as a night school into a comprehensive urban university with a global reach. This article delves into Temple University's rankings, history, academic offerings, campus life, and other essential aspects.

Historical Overview

The roots of Temple University trace back to 1884 when Russell Conwell, a Yale-educated lawyer, orator, and ordained Baptist minister, established night classes to teach aspiring ministers who lacked the financial resources for college. Conwell, who led the Grace Baptist Church of Philadelphia, initially offered to tutor Charles Davies, a young man who approached him after a service. Davies arrived to the first class with six friends. The classes quickly gained popularity in North Philadelphia.

In 1888, the institution was officially chartered as The Temple College of Philadelphia. However, the city refused to grant authority to award academic degrees. The Grace Baptist Church played a crucial role in the early years, providing classrooms, teachers, and financial support. In 1891, Temple's first graduating class of eighteen men received the Bachelor of Oratory degree.

Over the years, Temple expanded its scope. Samaritan Hospital (now Temple University Hospital) was founded by the Grace Baptist Church in 1892, and Temple added a medical school in 1901. Temple merged with Garretson Hospital the Philadelphia Dental College in 1906. Following the merger, Temple officially reincorporated as Temple University on December 12, 1907. The School of Nursing was established in 1911, followed by the Teacher's College in 1914.

In 1965, Temple became a Pennsylvania state-related university, receiving state funds while operating independently. It is one of four schools to have this designation, alongside Lincoln University, Pennsylvania State University, and the University of Pittsburgh.

Expansion and Development

Temple hired Philadelphia architecture firm Nolen & Swinburne Associates to devise a university expansion plan in 1955. The plan called for the demolition of historic row houses and proposed a classic campus quadrangle comprising large Modernist towers, a central plaza, a bell tower, walkways, lawns, and cloistered gardens. The firm complained that the "squeeze of the slum area is becoming intolerable" and went on to say that Temple was positioned, finally, "to wipe the slate clean from the ground up. Hundreds of North Philadelphia residents were displaced when Temple demolished rowhomes, churches, and businesses to make room for its expansion.

The Ambler Junior College of Temple University was formed by the merging of the Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for Women with Temple University. This created Temple University Ambler, which is approximately 15 miles (24 km) from Temple's Main Campus.

Key Figures and Events

Several individuals have played pivotal roles in Temple's history. Peter J. Liacouras, namesake of the Liacouras Center and Liacouras Walk, served as Temple’s seventh president from 1982 to 2000. Under Liacouras, Temple's profile began to grow: men's basketball coach John Chaney helped the team reach national prominence.

In the spring of 1969, the Steering Committee for Black Students pushed for more community voices involved in Temple’s plans for expansion, as well as an Afro-Asian Institute and special admissions for Hispanic and African-American students.

Recent events include a graduate student workers' union labor strike in January 2023, followed by the resignation of university president Jason Wingard. JoAnne Epps was named Acting President on April 11, 2023. In October of 2023, Temple University students protested against the Gaza war and criticized the administration's pro-Israel stance.

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Rankings and Recognition

Temple University consistently receives recognition in national and global rankings. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Temple University is ranked No. 102 in National Universities. It's also ranked No. 49 in Top Public Schools. This is now the third straight year that Temple has ranked among the top 50 public institutions. Temple is also ranked No. 102 in the National Universities category and No. 81 in the Best Value category.

U.S. News & World Report is especially important given our role as an institution deeply connected to our community and public mission. It serves as validation that the work we do here at Temple is both consequential and, most importantly, it makes a difference in the lives of our students.

Several academic programs have also been highlighted in the recently released rankings. The Fox School of Business’ undergraduate programs of insurance (No. 7), international business (No. 15) and management information systems (No. 19) all received strong rankings. Additionally, the College of Liberal Arts’ psychology program was ranked No. 43 in the best undergraduate psychology category, up 25 spots from last year.

News has published annual Best Colleges rankings since 1983, and in recent years, the publication started placing a greater weight on outcome measures of quality. This is an area where Temple has historically performed well. This year, for instance, Temple is a top 50 performer in the graduation rate performance metric at No. 46. This metric is scored by calculating how a school’s actual graduation rate exceeds its predicted graduation rate. News from students’ socioeconomic and academic backgrounds.

Campus and Locations

Temple University operates across multiple campuses, each offering unique facilities and programs.

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Main Campus

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. It runs through the campus parallel to Broad Street and was once part of Park Avenue. It intersects Polett Walk, the east/west pedestrian corridor where a segment of Berks Street once stood. Temple offers eight residence halls.

Health Sciences Campus

The Health Sciences Campus in North Philadelphia covers about 20 acres and extends to either side of North Broad Street from Allegheny Avenue to just above Tioga Street. This location is the site of the Samaritan Hospital, founded by Russell Conwell in 1892. The campus is home to Temple University Hospital, a teaching hospital; the Lewis Katz School of Medicine; the School of Pharmacy; the Maurice H. Podiatric Medicine Campus is located at 8th and Race Streets.

Other Campuses

Center City Campus: Across the street from Philadelphia City Hall.
Temple University Harrisburg (TUH): Located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, offering graduate degree programs, certificates, and professional development programs with evening and weekend schedules.
Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ): A branch campus in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan, and in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto. Temple University Japan was the oldest and largest campus of any foreign university in Japan.
Temple Rome: Established in 1966, with a new central location at Piazza di Spagna. Facilities include classrooms, art studios, a science lab, a conference center, a library, and open-air terraces.
Ambler Campus: Home to the School of Environmental Design, featuring the Architecture building (opened in January 2012) and the Science and Education Research Center (SERC).

Recent Developments

In November 2024, Temple announced the development of a new home for the Klein College of Media and Communication and the Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts. It will be a 199,000-square-foot facility west of Broad Street across from the entrance to Polett Walk.

Libraries

The former Samuel L. Sullivan Hall (then Sullivan Memorial Library) served as Temple's first free-standing library. President Franklin D. Roosevelt attended its dedication ceremony on February 22, 1936. In 1966, the university library moved one block east to the Samuel L. Paley Library. In 2019, the university opened Charles Library, a four-story tall study facility.

Academic Profile

Temple University offers a wide array of academic programs across its 17 schools and colleges, catering to diverse interests and career aspirations. The university awards 9,128 degrees in the 2023-24 academic year.

Schools and Colleges

Tyler School of Art and Architecture: Founded in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, in the 1930s. Temple’s Architecture program, founded in 1969, joined the school in 1990s.
Fox School of Business: Established in 1918, offering 15 undergraduate majors, 19 minors, 10 professional master's programs, and two PhD programs.
College of Engineering: Includes departments of Bioengineering, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Center for Engineering, Management & Technology.
Beasley School of Law: Founded in 1895, offering courses on Temple's Main Campus and in Center City. In 2013, the Sheller Center for Social Justice at Temple Law School was created.
College of Liberal Arts: Includes 28 academic departments, offering 35 undergraduate majors and 36 minors.
Klein College of Media and Communication: Founded in 1927, with about 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students and more than 60 full-time faculty members.
Lewis Katz School of Medicine: Founded in 1901, located on the Health Sciences Campus.
Boyer College of Music and Dance: Offers studies in Instrumental and Voice studies, Jazz studies, Music Theory, Music History, Music Composition, Music Technology, Music Therapy, Music Education, and Dance.
School of Pharmacy: Located at Temple's Health Science Campus, conferring Pharm.D., Ph.D., and M.S. degrees.
School of Podiatric Medicine: A school of podiatry.
College of Public Health: Housed inside Paley Hall. On October 10, 2025 it was announced that the college would be named in honor of Temple alumnus and trustee Christopher M.

Unique Programs and Initiatives

TUteach program: Offers science with teaching bachelor's degrees through the College of Science and Technology.
Temple Promise program: An innovative program designed to create opportunities for excellent students from all walks of life.

Student Life

Temple University is known for its diverse student body and vibrant campus life. The university has traditionally been known for the high level of ethnic diversity among its student body.

Demographics and Enrollment

Temple has a total undergraduate enrollment of 21,428 (fall 2024), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 406 acres. The student-faculty ratio at Temple University is 12:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar.

Admissions

Temple University accepts the Common Application and has a test-optional admissions policy.

Financials

The school's in-state tuition and fees are $23,723; out-of-state tuition and fees are $40,144. 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 four-year graduation rate is 59%. Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $50,860.

Athletics

Temple has 18 NCAA Division I varsity sports teams and competes as a member of the American Athletic Conference. The nickname is Owls.

Traditions

The Temple “T” is the symbol of the university. The logo was designed by students in the university’s Tyler School of Art in 1983. In honour of Temple’s origins as a night school for ambitious young people, the owl became its mascot.

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