Arcadia vs. Penn State Berks

Comparable Facts

Compare Arcadia University in Glenside, PA with Penn State Berks in Reading, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arcadia University is larger than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (3,404 students vs. 1,884 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arcadia University is located in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Berks is in Reading, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Berks is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arcadia University 10:1; Penn State Berks 13:1.

Arcadia vs. Penn State Berks Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arcadia 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 Arcadia ($23,721 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks are 15.8% lower than at Arcadia University ($14,474 vs. $17,180).
• Arcadia University is 210.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Berks (about $33,638 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84% higher at Arcadia than at Penn State Berks (about $22,652 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arcadia University than at Penn State Berks (99% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 269% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($34,705 vs. $9,405).

Arcadia vs. Penn State Berks Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arcadia 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 Arcadia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Berks (1180) is 10 points higher than at Arcadia (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arcadia University 1065/1265; Penn State Berks 1090/1275.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPenn State Berks 18/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arcadia - Test optional; Penn State Berks - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Arcadia students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Penn State Berks (3.39).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Arcadia (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.4% at Arcadia vs. 9.4% at Penn State Berks.

Arcadia vs. Penn State Berks Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arcadia 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).

• Arcadia University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Penn State Berks's (55%).
• Graduates from Penn State Berks earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Arcadia graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Berks graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Arcadia graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Berks graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arcadia graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Arcadia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Berks students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.