Penn State Berks vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 1,884 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Berks is located in Reading, PA (Rural Fringe setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Penn State Berks is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Berks 13:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Penn State Berks vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Berks or VCU? 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 VCU ($23,721 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks are 20.7% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($14,474 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 6.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Berks (about $973 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.8% higher at VCU than at Penn State Berks (about $13,151 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at Penn State Berks (88% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 50.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($14,186 vs. $9,405).

Penn State Berks vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Penn State Berks (1180) is 40 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (26 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; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Penn State Berks 18/27; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Berks - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman VCU students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Penn State Berks (3.39).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than VCU (92.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Penn State Berks vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Penn State Berks vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Berks and VCU? 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 (55%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Penn State Berks earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $3,568 lower median loan debt than Penn State Berks graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Berks graduates ($240 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Berks graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 56%)

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.