Penn State Berks vs. Pitt

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is larger than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (35,724 students vs. 1,884 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Penn State Berks vs. Pitt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Berks or Pitt? 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 Pitt ($23,721 vs. $25,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus are 5.9% lower than at Penn State Berks ($13,620 vs. $14,474).
• University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is 37.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Berks (about $5,954 more per year; $21,926.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.7% higher at Pitt than at Penn State Berks (about $14,472 more per year; $41,430.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Berks than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (69% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students is 75.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($16,494 vs. $9,405).

Penn State Berks vs. Pitt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (1370) is 190 points higher than at Penn State Berks (1180).
• Incoming Pitt students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (31 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; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Penn State Berks 18/27; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Berks - Test optional; Pitt - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Pitt students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Penn State Berks (3.39).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Pitt (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Penn State Berks vs. 13% at Pitt.

Penn State Berks vs. Pitt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Berks and Pitt? 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.

• University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Penn State Berks's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Penn State Berks graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,000 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Berks graduates have a $91 lower median loan debt than Pitt graduates ($26,818 vs. $26,909).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Berks graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt graduates ($277 vs. $278).
• More Pitt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Berks students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.