Simmons University vs. Penn State Berks

Should I go to Simmons University or Penn State Berks? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Simmons University or Penn State Berks is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Simmons University vs. Penn State Berks comparison
Simmons University Penn State Berks College 3 College 4
Simmons University Penn State Berks
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Overview

Simmons University Penn State Berks
Location Boston, MA Reading, PA
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 5,710 2,077
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #108 #657
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website simmons.edu psu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Simmons University Penn State Berks
Tuition (In State) $43,060 $15,388
Tuition (Out of State) $43,060 $25,854
Room & Board $16,368 $14,334
Avg Net Price $24,423 $21,728
Avg Grant Aid $36,606 $8,528
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 66%

Admission

Simmons University Penn State Berks
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,001 5,605
Admitted 3,059 5,453
Acceptance Rate 76.5% 97.3%
Enrolled % 12.8% 11.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.87 3.39
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 28/32 23/28
SAT Range 1200/1390 1090/1290
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2025

Academics

Simmons University Penn State Berks
Student to Faculty Ratio 7:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

Simmons University Penn State Berks
Graduation Rate 69% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,800 $55,300
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $26,818
Median Loan Payment $268 $277

Diversity

Simmons University Penn State Berks
% Men 8% 59%
% Women 92% 41%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 67% 68%
% Black 7% 9%
% Hispanic 6% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Simmons University Penn State Berks
% In-State 52% 64%
% Out-of-State 41% 30%

Campus

Simmons University Penn State Berks
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Simmons University is larger than than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (5,710 students vs. 2,077 students)

Simmons University vs. Penn State Berks Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simmons University or Penn State Berks?

  • Simmons University is 179.8% more expensive to attend than Penn State Berks for in-state tuition ($43,060.00 vs. $15,388.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 66.6% higher at Simmons University than Penn State Berks ($43,060.00 vs. $25,854.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Penn State Berks than Simmons University ($21,728 vs. $24,423)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks are 14.2% lower than costs at Simmons University ($14,334 vs. $16,368)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Simmons University than Penn State Berks (100% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Simmons University students is 329.2% larger than aid received Penn State Berks ($36,606 vs. $8,528)

Simmons University vs. Penn State Berks Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Simmons University or Penn State Berks? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Penn State Berks or Simmons University .

  • The average SAT score at Simmons University (1163) is 185 points higher than at Penn State Berks (978)
  • Incoming Simmons University students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Penn State Berks (22)
  • Accepted freshman Simmons University students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Penn State Berks (3.39)
  • Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (97.3%) than Simmons University (76.5%)

Simmons University vs. Penn State Berks Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Simmons University or Penn State Berks? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Penn State Berks and Simmons University.

  • The graduation rate at Simmons University is higher than Penn State Berks (69% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Penn State Berks earn on average $2,500 more per year than Simmons University graduates after ten years. ($55,300 vs. $52,800)
  • Simmons University students graduate with a $818 lower median federal student loan debt than Penn State Berks graduates. ($26,000 vs. $26,818)
  • Simmons University graduates are paying $9 less per month on federal student loans than Penn State Berks graduates. ($268 vs. $277)
  • More Simmons University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Berks students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/