Montclair State University vs. Penn State Berks

Comparable Facts

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

Montclair State University is larger than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (23,375 students vs. 1,884 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Montclair State University is located in Montclair, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Berks is in Reading, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Montclair 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: Montclair State University 18:1; Penn State Berks 13:1.

Montclair State University vs. Penn State Berks Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Montclair State University 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 Montclair State University than Penn State Berks ($17,669 vs. $23,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks are 13.5% lower than at Montclair State University ($14,474 vs. $16,730).
• Penn State Berks is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Montclair State University (about $60 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $15,912.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.6% higher at Penn State Berks than at Montclair State University (about $936 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $26,022.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montclair State University than at Penn State Berks (84% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montclair State University students is 31.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($12,341 vs. $9,405).

Montclair State University vs. Penn State Berks Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Montclair State University 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 Montclair State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Berks (1180) is 120 points higher than at Montclair State University (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montclair State University 910/1210; 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: Montclair State University - Test optional; Penn State Berks - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Berks students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Montclair State University (3.3).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Montclair State University (87.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at Montclair State University vs. 9.4% at Penn State Berks.

Montclair State University vs. Penn State Berks Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Montclair State University 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).

• Montclair State 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 $4,200 more per year than Montclair State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montclair State University graduates have a $3,819 lower median loan debt than Penn State Berks graduates ($22,999 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Montclair State University graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Berks graduates ($237 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Berks graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Montclair State University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 67%)

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.