Fisher vs. Penn State Berks

Comparable Facts

Compare St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY with Penn State Berks in Reading, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St. John Fisher University is larger than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (3,693 students vs. 1,884 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St. John Fisher University is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Berks is in Reading, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• St. John Fisher University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Berks is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St. John Fisher University 11:1; Penn State Berks 13:1.

Fisher vs. Penn State Berks Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fisher 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 Fisher ($23,721 vs. $30,540).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks are 2.9% lower than at St. John Fisher University ($14,474 vs. $14,908).
• St. John Fisher University is 157.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Berks (about $25,218 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.8% higher at Fisher than at Penn State Berks (about $14,232 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. John Fisher University than at Penn State Berks (100% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. John Fisher University students is 160.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($24,530 vs. $9,405).

Fisher vs. Penn State Berks Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fisher 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 Fisher.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St. John Fisher University (1210) is 30 points higher than at Penn State Berks (1180).
• Incoming Fisher students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at Penn State Berks).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. John Fisher University 1120/1300; Penn State Berks 1090/1275.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. John Fisher University 23/28; Penn State Berks 18/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fisher - Test optional; Penn State Berks - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Fisher 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 Fisher (66.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at Fisher vs. 9.4% at Penn State Berks.

Fisher vs. Penn State Berks Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fisher 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).

• St. John Fisher University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Penn State Berks's (55%).
• Graduates from Penn State Berks earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Fisher graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St. John Fisher University graduates have a $2,918 lower median loan debt than Penn State Berks graduates ($23,900 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Fisher graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Berks graduates ($247 vs. $277).
• More Fisher graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Berks students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.