Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn State Berks

Comparable Facts

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

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 1,884 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Penn State Berks is in Reading, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Berks is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; Penn State Berks 13:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn State Berks Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon 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 Carnegie Mellon ($23,721 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks are 20.3% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($14,474 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 314.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Berks (about $50,274 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 145.7% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Penn State Berks (about $39,288 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Berks than at Carnegie Mellon University (69% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 411.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($48,107 vs. $9,405).

Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn State Berks Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carnegie Mellon 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 Carnegie Mellon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 360 points higher than at Penn State Berks (1180).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 12 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 22 at Penn State Berks).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; Penn State Berks 1090/1275.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; Penn State Berks 18/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; Penn State Berks - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Penn State Berks (3.39).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 9.4% at Penn State Berks.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn State Berks Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carnegie Mellon 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).

• Carnegie Mellon University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Penn State Berks's (55%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $47,400 more per year than Penn State Berks graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carnegie Mellon University graduates have a $568 lower median loan debt than Penn State Berks graduates ($26,250 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Carnegie Mellon graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Berks graduates ($271 vs. $277).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Berks students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.