Rutgers University-Newark vs. Penn State Berks

Comparable Facts

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

Rutgers University Newark is larger than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (11,315 students vs. 1,884 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Rutgers University-Newark vs. Penn State Berks Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers University-Newark 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 Rutgers University Newark than Penn State Berks ($18,276 vs. $23,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks are 10% lower than at Rutgers University Newark ($14,474 vs. $16,074).
• Rutgers University Newark is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Berks (about $1,278 more per year; $17,250.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.4% higher at Rutgers University-Newark than at Penn State Berks (about $9,804 more per year; $36,762.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rutgers University Newark than at Penn State Berks (72% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rutgers University Newark students is 85.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($17,405 vs. $9,405).

Rutgers University-Newark vs. Penn State Berks Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Berks (1180) is 30 points higher than at Rutgers University-Newark (1150).
• Incoming Rutgers University-Newark students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at Penn State Berks).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University Newark 1030/1270; Penn State Berks 1090/1275.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University Newark 21/28; Penn State Berks 18/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rutgers University-Newark - Test-free; Penn State Berks - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Berks students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Rutgers University-Newark (3.23).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Rutgers University-Newark (71.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.1% at Rutgers University-Newark vs. 9.4% at Penn State Berks.

Rutgers University-Newark vs. Penn State Berks Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rutgers University-Newark and Penn State Berks? 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).

• Rutgers University Newark's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Penn State Berks's (55%).
• Graduates from Rutgers University Newark earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than Penn State Berks graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,200 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rutgers University Newark graduates have a $4,603 lower median loan debt than Penn State Berks graduates ($22,215 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Rutgers University-Newark graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Berks graduates ($229 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Berks graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers University-Newark students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 68%)

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.