University of Mount Union vs. Penn State Berks

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Mount Union in Alliance, OH with Penn State Berks in Reading, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Mount Union is larger than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (2,461 students vs. 1,884 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Mount Union is located in Alliance, OH (Distant Town setting); Penn State Berks is in Reading, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Mount Union is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Berks is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Mount Union 15:1; Penn State Berks 13:1.

University of Mount Union vs. Penn State Berks Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Mount Union 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 Mount Union than Penn State Berks ($23,616 vs. $23,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mount Union are 12.1% lower than at Penn State Berks ($12,720 vs. $14,474).
• University of Mount Union is 129.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Berks (about $20,628 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.8% higher at University of Mount Union than at Penn State Berks (about $9,642 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mount Union than at Penn State Berks (100% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Mount Union students is 172.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($25,597 vs. $9,405).

University of Mount Union vs. Penn State Berks Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Mount Union 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 University of Mount Union.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Berks (1180) is 100 points higher than at University of Mount Union (1080).
• Incoming Penn State Berks students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at University of Mount Union).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mount Union 910/1240; Penn State Berks 1090/1275.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mount Union 18/25; Penn State Berks 18/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Mount Union - Test optional; Penn State Berks - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Berks students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at University of Mount Union (3.33).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than University of Mount Union (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.3% at University of Mount Union vs. 9.4% at Penn State Berks.

University of Mount Union vs. Penn State Berks Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Mount Union 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).

• University of Mount Union's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Penn State Berks's (55%).
• Graduates from Penn State Berks earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than University of Mount Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $48,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Berks graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than University of Mount Union graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Berks graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Mount Union graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More University of Mount Union 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.