University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Penn State Berks

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Boston in Boston, MA with Penn State Berks in Reading, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (15,575 students vs. 1,884 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Penn State Berks Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Boston 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 University of Massachusetts Boston than Penn State Berks ($17,768 vs. $23,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks are 24.3% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($14,474 vs. $19,128).
• Penn State Berks is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Boston (about $64 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $15,908.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.4% higher at University of Massachusetts-Boston than at Penn State Berks (about $11,167 more per year; $38,125.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Boston than at Penn State Berks (88% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students is 49.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($14,042 vs. $9,405).

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Penn State Berks Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Massachusetts-Boston 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 University of Massachusetts-Boston.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Massachusetts Boston (1180) is the same as at Penn State Berks (1180).
• Incoming University of Massachusetts-Boston students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 22 at Penn State Berks).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290; Penn State Berks 1090/1275.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29; Penn State Berks 18/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional; Penn State Berks - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Penn State Berks students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than University of Massachusetts-Boston (83.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. 9.4% at Penn State Berks.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Penn State Berks Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Boston 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.

• Penn State Berks's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from Penn State Berks earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Boston graduates have a $4,758 lower median loan debt than Penn State Berks graduates ($22,060 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Berks graduates ($228 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Berks graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 58%)

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.