Penn State Berks vs. Hollins College

Comparable Facts

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

Penn State Berks is larger than Hollins College based on total student enrollment (1,884 students vs. 761 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Berks is located in Reading, PA (Rural Fringe setting); Hollins University is in Roanoke, VA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Penn State Berks is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hollins University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Berks 13:1; Hollins University 8:1.

Penn State Berks vs. Hollins College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Berks or Hollins College? 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 Hollins University than Penn State Berks ($22,605 vs. $23,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks are 8.4% lower than at Hollins University ($14,474 vs. $15,800).
• Hollins University is 172.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Berks (about $27,588 more per year; $43,560.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.6% higher at Hollins College than at Penn State Berks (about $16,602 more per year; $43,560.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hollins University than at Penn State Berks (100% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hollins University students is 284.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($36,154 vs. $9,405).

Penn State Berks vs. Hollins College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Berks or Hollins College? 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 Hollins College and Penn State Berks.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hollins University (1250) is 70 points higher than at Penn State Berks (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Berks 1090/1275; Hollins University 1150/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Berks 18/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Berks - Test optional; Hollins College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Hollins College students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Penn State Berks (3.39).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Hollins College (68%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Penn State Berks vs. 9.6% at Hollins College.

Penn State Berks vs. Hollins College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Berks and Hollins College? 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).

• Hollins University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Penn State Berks's (55%).
• Graduates from Penn State Berks earn a median of about $19,700 more per year than Hollins College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Berks graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Hollins College graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Berks graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hollins College graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Berks graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hollins College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 57%)

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.