Look, when I was searching "is Temple University a good school" before applying, I got tired of generic college brochure stuff. You want real talk? I graduated last year with a business degree, and my brother’s currently slogging through engineering there. Let's cut through the marketing fluff.
The Core Stuff: Academics and Reputation
Honestly? Temple punches way above its weight in specific fields. Their Fox Business School landed me internships I wouldn’t have gotten elsewhere. But their communications program? World-class. Film school alumni work on major Hollywood sets. That practical, Philly-hustle vibe permeates everything.
But here's the kicker – class sizes can be rough early on. My intro psych lecture had 300 people. Felt like cattle. Once you hit junior year in your major, it gets intimate. Professors actually knew my name.
Where Temple Actually Shines (and Where It Doesn't)
| Program | National Standing | Real-World Strength | Class Size Reality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business (Fox) | Top 50 Nationwide | Wall Street recruitment | Large intro, small senior |
| Health Professions | Top 10% Nationally | Hospital placements citywide | Competitive cohorts |
| Film & Media Arts | Top 25 Globally | Philly/NYC industry pipeline | Small, project-based |
| Engineering | Rising Fast | Local industrial partnerships | Mid-sized, hands-on |
| Liberal Arts | Solid Regional | Strong grad school prep | Very large lectures |
Their dental school? Elite. Costs a fortune though. I knew dental students eating ramen for four years straight.
Personal Take: If you're pre-med or pre-law, Temple prepares you brutally well. Their mock MCAT sessions felt like going ten rounds with a heavyweight. But if you want tiny seminars from day one? Look at liberal arts colleges instead.
The Money Talk: Costs and Value
Let's get real about cash. Temple isn't cheap – about $35k/year for PA residents including housing. Out-of-state? Brace yourself. But here's what nobody tells you:
- Hidden Scholarship Goldmine: Their school-specific awards aren’t well-advertised. My friend in Tyler Art got $8k/year just for submitting a portfolio they barely promoted.
- Co-op Programs: Engineering and business majors alternate paid semesters (think $15-$25/hour). My brother paid his rent with Comcast co-op money.
- Philly Premium: You pay extra for the city access. Internships at Fortune 500s or hospitals don’t require relocations.
Still, debt is real. I graduated with $28k in loans. Manageable? Yes. Comfortable? No.
Is Temple Worth the Price? The ROI Breakdown
Here's raw data from people I know:
| Major | Avg. Starting Salary (Temple) | Avg. Debt at Graduation | Break-Even Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | $68,000 | $22,000 | ~2 years |
| Computer Science | $75,000 | $31,000 | ~3 years |
| Media Studies | $42,000 | $35,000 | ~6+ years |
| Business Admin | $58,000 | $29,000 | ~4 years |
Campus Vibe: Good, Bad, and North Philly
Nobody talks about the noise. You're in a real city. Sirens at 2 AM? Normal. But walking to Center City for internships? Priceless.
Safety gets overblown online. Stay alert north of Cecil B. Moore Ave? Absolutely. But campus police presence is solid. I used the walking escort service twice late at night – they showed up in 3 minutes.
- Dorms: Morgan Hall has AC but feels like a hotel. Peabody? Historic charm = no AC. Sweat through August.
- Campus Food: Hit-or-miss. The Crepe Truck saved my GPA. Meal plan mandatory for freshmen – total ripoff.
- Student Life: Greek life exists but doesn’t dominate. Clubs? Everything from Quidditch to Wall Street prep. Finding your tribe takes effort.
My Regret: Not exploring Philly sooner. Wasted a year on campus. Pro tip: Get a SEPTA pass. Chinatown dumplings at 1 AM are a core Temple experience.
Career Launchpad or Paper Mill?
Temple's career center gets roasted online. Some advisors are outdated. But the alumni network? That’s the secret weapon.
I cold-emailed a Fox alum on LinkedIn. Got coffee. He referred me to my current job. That Temple hustle mentality bonds people. Health professions? Hospitals snap up Temple grads. Media? NBC10 is full of Owls.
| Field | Temple's Industry Pipeline | Top Employer Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Finance | Strong in Philly/NYC | Vanguard, PwC, JPMorgan |
| Healthcare | Dominant in Region | Penn Medicine, Jefferson, CHOP |
| Media/Advertising | Underrated Strength | Comcast Spotlight, NBC10, Tierney |
| Tech | Growing Fast | Comcast, SAP, DuPont |
The Ugly Truths Nobody Tells You
Let's be brutally honest:
- Advisor Roulette: Some departments have amazing advisors. Others ghost you. I switched majors because mine never replied to emails.
- Parking Apocalypse: Bringing a car? Budget $300/semester for parking passes. Street parking near campus? Mythical creature.
- Winter is Coming: Philly winters suck. That 8 AM walk across campus in February? Character-building misery.
Still, complaining about Temple is part of the culture. We bond over hating the Liacouras Walk wind tunnel.
Temple vs. The Competition
How does "is Temple University a good school" stack up against alternatives?
| Factor | Temple | Penn State Main | Pitt | Drexel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Access | Prime (Philly core) | Rural | Urban (Pittsburgh) | Prime (Philly) |
| Tuition (In-State) | $18k | $19k | $21k | $38k |
| Co-op/Intern Culture | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Extreme (mandatory) |
| Campus Feel | Integrated city | Traditional college | Urban campus | Integrated city |
FAQ: Real Answers to "Is Temple Good?"
Is Temple University a good school for pre-med?
Surprisingly killer. Their hospital partnerships mean clinical hours start early. But cutthroat competition. Average GPA for med school applicants: 3.7.
Is Temple a party school?
Can you find parties? Obviously. Is it Animal House? No. Bigger issue: Philly’s social scene pulls students off-campus. Frat Row exists but isn’t the universe.
How’s the diversity?
Legitimately strong. 30% minority enrollment. International students everywhere. My econ group had students from Nigeria, South Korea, and North Philly.
Is Temple University worth it out-of-state?
Depends. Paying $35k tuition? Only for powerhouse programs (business, health, media). Otherwise, hard sell.
What do graduates say?
We bitch about the bureaucracy but defend the degree. That Temple hustle sticks. Five years out? Most say they’d do it again.
The Final Verdict
So is Temple University a good school? It’s not Harvard. It’s not trying to be. What it does offer is a real-world bootcamp with elite programs in key fields. You’ll work hard, navigate a real city, and build resilience.
The people asking "is Temple University a good school" usually mean "will this launch my future?" For the right student – someone proactive, street-smart, and career-focused – absolutely. For someone wanting pampered ivy walls? Not a chance.
Walking across Beury Beach on a fall day, cheesesteak in hand? Yeah. It’s good.
Leave a Comments