Penn State Berks vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

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

Penn State Berks is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (1,884 students vs. 1,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Berks is located in Reading, PA (Rural Fringe setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• Penn State Berks is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Berks 13:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

Penn State Berks vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Berks or VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University than Penn State Berks ($21,267 vs. $23,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 17.6% lower than at Penn State Berks ($11,930 vs. $14,474).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 134.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Berks (about $21,528 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.1% higher at VWC than at Penn State Berks (about $10,542 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at Penn State Berks (100% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 218.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($29,923 vs. $9,405).

Penn State Berks vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Wesleyan University (1250) is 70 points higher than at Penn State Berks (1180).
• Incoming VWC students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at Penn State Berks).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Berks 1090/1275; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Berks 18/27; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Berks - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Berks students have the same average high school GPA (3.39) as students at VWC (3.39).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than VWC (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Penn State Berks vs. 11.9% at VWC.

Penn State Berks vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Penn State Berks's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Penn State Berks earn a median of about $13,600 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Berks graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than VWC graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Berks graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Berks graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 57%)

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.