Fitchburg State vs. Penn State Berks

Comparable Facts

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

Fitchburg State University is larger than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 1,884 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Penn State Berks is in Reading, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Berks is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; Penn State Berks 13:1.

Fitchburg State vs. Penn State Berks Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State University than Penn State Berks ($15,340 vs. $23,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks are 6.3% lower than at Fitchburg State University ($14,474 vs. $15,452).
• Penn State Berks is 40.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $4,626 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.7% higher at Penn State Berks than at Fitchburg State University (about $9,532 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fitchburg State University than at Penn State Berks (92% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fitchburg State University students is 22.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($11,539 vs. $9,405).

Fitchburg State vs. Penn State Berks Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Berks (1180) is 30 points higher than at Fitchburg State (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; 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: Fitchburg State - Test optional; Penn State Berks - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Berks students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Fitchburg State (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 9.4% at Penn State Berks.

Fitchburg State vs. Penn State Berks Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State 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).

• Penn State Berks's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Berks earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $4,133 lower median loan debt than Penn State Berks graduates ($22,685 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Berks graduates ($234 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Berks graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.