Ashland College vs. Penn State Berks

Comparable Facts

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

Ashland University is larger than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (4,106 students vs. 1,884 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ashland University is located in Ashland, OH (Town Fringe setting); Penn State Berks is in Reading, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Ashland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Berks is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ashland University 14:1; Penn State Berks 13:1.

Ashland College vs. Penn State Berks Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ashland 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 Ashland University than Penn State Berks ($22,610 vs. $23,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ashland University are 6.3% lower than at Penn State Berks ($13,568 vs. $14,474).
• Ashland University is 95.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Berks (about $15,238 more per year; $31,210.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.8% higher at Ashland College than at Penn State Berks (about $4,252 more per year; $31,210.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ashland University than at Penn State Berks (100% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ashland University students is 121.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($20,835 vs. $9,405).

Ashland College vs. Penn State Berks Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ashland 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 Ashland College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Berks (1180) is 60 points higher than at Ashland College (1120).
• Incoming Ashland College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at Penn State Berks (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ashland University 1035/1208; Penn State Berks 1090/1275.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ashland University 20/25; Penn State Berks 18/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ashland College - Test optional; Penn State Berks - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Ashland College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Penn State Berks (3.39).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Ashland College (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Ashland College vs. 9.4% at Penn State Berks.

Ashland College vs. Penn State Berks Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ashland 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).

• Ashland University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Penn State Berks's (55%).
• Graduates from Penn State Berks earn a median of about $14,900 more per year than Ashland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ashland University graduates have a $568 lower median loan debt than Penn State Berks graduates ($26,250 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Ashland College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Berks graduates ($271 vs. $277).
• More Ashland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Berks students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.