Alfred University vs. Penn State Berks

Should I go to Alfred University or Penn State Berks? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Alfred University or Penn State Berks is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Alfred University vs. Penn State Berks comparison
Alfred University Penn State Berks College 3 College 4
Alfred University Penn State Berks
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Overview

Alfred University Penn State Berks
Location Alfred, NY Reading, PA
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 1,813 2,077
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #326 #657
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website alfred.edu psu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Alfred University Penn State Berks
Tuition (In State) $36,444 $15,388
Tuition (Out of State) $36,444 $25,854
Room & Board $13,560 $14,334
Avg Net Price $26,183 $21,728
Avg Grant Aid $26,172 $8,528
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 66%

Admission

Alfred University Penn State Berks
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,091 5,605
Admitted 3,589 5,453
Acceptance Rate 50.6% 97.3%
Enrolled % 10.3% 11.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.39
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/30 23/28
SAT Range 1085/1290 1090/1290
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2025

Academics

Alfred University Penn State Berks
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
  • Engineering (17%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • English and Literature (4%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

Alfred University Penn State Berks
Graduation Rate 60% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,700 $55,300
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,818
Median Loan Payment $279 $277

Diversity

Alfred University Penn State Berks
% Men 43% 59%
% Women 57% 41%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 66% 68%
% Black 9% 9%
% Hispanic 7% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 10% 1%

Students

Alfred University Penn State Berks
% In-State 72% 64%
% Out-of-State 24% 30%

Campus

Alfred University Penn State Berks
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Penn State Berks is larger than than Alfred University based on total student enrollment (2,077 students vs. 1,813 students)

Alfred University vs. Penn State Berks Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alfred University or Penn State Berks?

  • Alfred University is 136.8% more expensive to attend than Penn State Berks for in-state tuition ($36,444.00 vs. $15,388.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 41% higher at Alfred University than Penn State Berks ($36,444.00 vs. $25,854.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Penn State Berks than Alfred University ($21,728 vs. $26,183)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alfred University are 5.7% lower than costs at Penn State Berks ($13,560 vs. $14,334)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Alfred University than Penn State Berks (99% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alfred University students is 206.9% larger than aid received Penn State Berks ($26,172 vs. $8,528)

Alfred University vs. Penn State Berks Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alfred University or Penn State Berks? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Penn State Berks or Alfred University .

  • The average SAT score at Alfred University (1057) is 79 points higher than at Penn State Berks (978)
  • Incoming Alfred University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Penn State Berks (22)
  • Accepted freshman Alfred University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Penn State Berks (3.39)
  • Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (97.3%) than Alfred University (50.6%)

Alfred University vs. Penn State Berks Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Alfred University or Penn State Berks? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Penn State Berks and Alfred University.

  • The graduation rate at Alfred University is higher than Penn State Berks (60% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Penn State Berks earn on average $9,600 more per year than Alfred University graduates after ten years. ($55,300 vs. $45,700)
  • Penn State Berks students graduate with a $182 lower median federal student loan debt than Alfred University graduates. ($26,818 vs. $27,000)
  • Penn State Berks graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than Alfred University graduates. ($277 vs. $279)
  • More Alfred University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Berks students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/