Penn State Berks vs. University of Scranton

Comparable Facts

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

University of Scranton is larger than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (4,724 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 Scranton is in Scranton, PA (Small City setting).
• Penn State Berks is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Scranton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Berks 13:1; University of Scranton 11:1.

Penn State Berks vs. University of Scranton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Berks or University of Scranton? 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 University of Scranton ($23,721 vs. $34,234).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks are 16.7% lower than at University of Scranton ($14,474 vs. $17,380).
• University of Scranton is 238% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Berks (about $38,011 more per year; $53,983.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100.2% higher at University of Scranton than at Penn State Berks (about $27,025 more per year; $53,983.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Scranton than at Penn State Berks (96% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Scranton students is 278.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($35,606 vs. $9,405).

Penn State Berks vs. University of Scranton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Scranton (1240) is 60 points higher than at Penn State Berks (1180).
• Incoming University of Scranton students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at Penn State Berks).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Berks 1090/1275; University of Scranton 1160/1318.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Berks 18/27; University of Scranton 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Berks - Test optional; University of Scranton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Scranton Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Scranton students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Penn State Berks (3.39).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than University of Scranton (81.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Penn State Berks vs. 11.3% at University of Scranton.

Penn State Berks vs. University of Scranton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Scranton's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Penn State Berks's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Scranton earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Penn State Berks graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Berks graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than University of Scranton graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Berks graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Scranton graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More University of Scranton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Berks students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.