Rider University vs. Penn State Berks

Comparable Facts

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

Rider University is larger than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (4,003 students vs. 1,884 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rider University is located in Lawrenceville, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Berks is in Reading, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Rider University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Berks is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rider University 14:1; Penn State Berks 13:1.

Rider University vs. Penn State Berks Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rider University or Penn State Berks? 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 Rider University ($23,721 vs. $26,506).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks are 16% lower than at Rider University ($14,474 vs. $17,230).
• Rider University is 157.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Berks (about $25,148 more per year; $41,120.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.5% higher at Rider University than at Penn State Berks (about $14,162 more per year; $41,120.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rider University than at Penn State Berks (100% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rider University students is 211.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($29,294 vs. $9,405).

Rider University vs. Penn State Berks Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Rider University (1210) is 30 points higher than at Penn State Berks (1180).
• Incoming Rider University students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (29 vs. 22 at Penn State Berks).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Rider University 1100/1320; Penn State Berks 1090/1275.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Rider University 27/31; Penn State Berks 18/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rider University - Test optional; Penn State Berks - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Rider University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Penn State Berks (3.39).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Rider University (78.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at Rider University vs. 9.4% at Penn State Berks.

Rider University vs. Penn State Berks Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rider University and Penn State Berks? 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.

• Rider University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Penn State Berks's (55%).
• Graduates from Penn State Berks earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Rider University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $53,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rider University graduates have a $1,068 lower median loan debt than Penn State Berks graduates ($25,750 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Rider University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Berks graduates ($266 vs. $277).
• More Rider University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Berks students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.