Penn State Berks vs. SU

Comparable Facts

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

Shenandoah University is larger than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 1,884 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Berks is located in Reading, PA (Rural Fringe setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• Penn State Berks is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Berks 13:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

Penn State Berks vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Berks or SU? 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 SU ($23,721 vs. $27,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 13.7% lower than at Penn State Berks ($12,490 vs. $14,474).
• Shenandoah University is 131.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Berks (about $20,978 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.1% higher at SU than at Penn State Berks (about $9,992 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at Penn State Berks (100% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 163.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($24,747 vs. $9,405).

Penn State Berks vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Berks (1180) is 60 points higher than at SU (1120).
• Incoming Penn State Berks students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at SU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Berks 1090/1275; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Berks 18/27; Shenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Berks - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Penn State Berks (3.39).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than SU (77%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Penn State Berks vs. 16.7% at SU.

Penn State Berks vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Berks and SU? 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 Shenandoah University's (45%).
• Graduates from Penn State Berks earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than SU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shenandoah University graduates have a $1,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Berks graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, SU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Berks graduates ($258 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Berks graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 60%)

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.