Penn State Berks vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

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

Thomas Jefferson University is larger than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (8,238 students vs. 1,884 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Penn State Berks vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Berks or Jefferson? 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 Jefferson ($23,721 vs. $29,325).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks are 8.6% lower than at Thomas Jefferson University ($14,474 vs. $15,834).
• Thomas Jefferson University is 197.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Berks (about $31,533 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.2% higher at Jefferson than at Penn State Berks (about $20,547 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at Penn State Berks (100% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 272.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($35,007 vs. $9,405).

Penn State Berks vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Berks or Jefferson? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Jefferson and Penn State Berks.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Thomas Jefferson University (1250) is 70 points higher than at Penn State Berks (1180).
• Incoming Jefferson students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (27 vs. 22 at Penn State Berks).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Penn State Berks 1090/1275; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Penn State Berks 18/27; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Berks - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Jefferson students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Penn State Berks (3.39).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Jefferson (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Penn State Berks vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

Penn State Berks vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Berks and Jefferson? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Penn State Berks's six-year graduation rate is 55%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Jefferson.
• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $67,600 more per year than Penn State Berks graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $14,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Berks graduates ($12,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $148 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Berks graduates ($129 vs. $277).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Berks students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.