Penn State Berks vs. Longwood University

Comparable Facts

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

Longwood University is larger than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (4,612 students vs. 1,884 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Berks is located in Reading, PA (Rural Fringe setting); Longwood University is in Farmville, VA (Remote Town setting).
• Penn State Berks is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Longwood University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Berks 13:1; Longwood University 15:1.

Penn State Berks vs. Longwood University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Berks or Longwood University? 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 Longwood University than Penn State Berks ($20,847 vs. $23,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks are 16.9% lower than at Longwood University ($14,474 vs. $17,424).
• Penn State Berks is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Longwood University (about $228 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $15,744.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at Longwood University than at Penn State Berks (about $1,020 more per year; $27,978.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Longwood University than at Penn State Berks (97% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Longwood University students is 48.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($13,954 vs. $9,405).

Penn State Berks vs. Longwood University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Berks or Longwood University? 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 Longwood University and Penn State Berks.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Berks (1180) is 60 points higher than at Longwood University (1120).
• Incoming Penn State Berks students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at Longwood University (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Berks 1090/1275; Longwood University 1030/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Berks 18/27; Longwood University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Berks - Test optional; Longwood University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Longwood University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Penn State Berks (3.39).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Longwood University (90.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Penn State Berks vs. 17% at Longwood University.

Penn State Berks vs. Longwood University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Berks and Longwood University? 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).

• Longwood University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Penn State Berks's (55%).
• Graduates from Penn State Berks earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than Longwood University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Longwood University graduates have a $1,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Berks graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Longwood University graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Berks graduates ($258 vs. $277).
• More Longwood University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Berks students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.