Allegheny College vs. Penn State Berks

Comparable Facts

Compare Allegheny College in Meadville, PA with Penn State Berks in Reading, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Berks is larger than Allegheny College based on total student enrollment (1,884 students vs. 1,171 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Allegheny College is located in Meadville, PA (Distant Town setting); Penn State Berks is in Reading, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Allegheny College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Berks is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Allegheny College 8:1; Penn State Berks 13:1.

Allegheny College vs. Penn State Berks Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Allegheny College or Penn State Berks? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Penn State Berks than Allegheny College ($23,721 vs. $26,420).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Allegheny College are 2.6% lower than at Penn State Berks ($14,100 vs. $14,474).
• Allegheny College is 254.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Berks (about $40,578 more per year; $56,550.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.8% higher at Allegheny College than at Penn State Berks (about $29,592 more per year; $56,550.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Allegheny College than at Penn State Berks (100% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Allegheny College students is 378.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($44,987 vs. $9,405).

Allegheny College vs. Penn State Berks Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Allegheny College or Penn State Berks? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Berks and Allegheny College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Allegheny College (1270) is 90 points higher than at Penn State Berks (1180).
• Incoming Allegheny College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at Penn State Berks).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Allegheny College 1173/1358; Penn State Berks 1090/1275.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Allegheny College 25/30; Penn State Berks 18/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Allegheny College - Test optional; Penn State Berks - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Allegheny College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Allegheny College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Penn State Berks (3.39).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Allegheny College (54.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at Allegheny College vs. 9.4% at Penn State Berks.

Allegheny College vs. Penn State Berks Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Allegheny College and Penn State Berks? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Allegheny College's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Penn State Berks's (55%).
• Graduates from Penn State Berks earn a median of about $100 more per year than Allegheny College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Berks graduates have a $2,182 lower median loan debt than Allegheny College graduates ($26,818 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Berks graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Allegheny College graduates ($277 vs. $299).
• More Allegheny College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Berks students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.