Penn State Berks vs. Ursinus College

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Berks in Reading, PA with Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Berks is larger than Ursinus College based on total student enrollment (1,884 students vs. 1,502 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Berks is located in Reading, PA (Rural Fringe setting); Ursinus College is in Collegeville, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Penn State Berks is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ursinus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Berks 13:1; Ursinus College 10:1.

Penn State Berks vs. Ursinus College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Berks or Ursinus College? 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 Ursinus College ($23,721 vs. $32,158).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks are 15% lower than at Ursinus College ($14,474 vs. $17,028).
• Ursinus College is 283.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Berks (about $45,238 more per year; $61,210.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 127.1% higher at Ursinus College than at Penn State Berks (about $34,252 more per year; $61,210.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ursinus College than at Penn State Berks (100% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ursinus College students is 375.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($44,754 vs. $9,405).

Penn State Berks vs. Ursinus College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ursinus College (1290) is 110 points higher than at Penn State Berks (1180).
• Incoming Ursinus College students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 22 at Penn State Berks).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Berks 1090/1275; Ursinus College 1200/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Berks 18/27; Ursinus College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Berks - Test optional; Ursinus College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ursinus College May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Ursinus College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Penn State Berks (3.39).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Ursinus College (91.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Penn State Berks vs. 12.5% at Ursinus College.

Penn State Berks vs. Ursinus College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Berks and Ursinus College? 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).

• Ursinus College's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Penn State Berks's (55%).
• Graduates from Ursinus College 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 $182 lower median loan debt than Ursinus College graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Berks graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ursinus College graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Ursinus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Berks students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.