Penn State Berks

  • 5/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Reading, PA
  • 4.0 1 review
#12 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

Overview

Total enrollment

1,884
Penn State Berks overview
Penn State Berks overview
  • Size Small
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad

Penn State Berks operates as a commonwealth campus of Pennsylvania State University, situated on 258 acres in Reading, Pennsylvania, approximately 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia. The campus, established in 1958, features a mix of modern academic buildings and historic structures, including the original Janssen mansion that now serves as an administration building. As a four-year undergraduate institution, Penn State Berks offers degree programs across business, engineering, information technology, and humanities, with particular emphasis on its mechanical engineering and business programs. The campus maintains traditional residence halls housing students in a suburban setting, while providing access to Penn State's broader academic resources and research facilities. Students can participate in NCAA Division III athletics as the Penn State Berks Nittany Lions, competing in the North Eastern Athletic Conference.

Ratings

Penn State Berks is rated within the lower 44% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    5 out of 10
  • Academics
    5 out of 10
  • Resources
    3 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    6 out of 10
  • Value
    1 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Average
Penn State Berks admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1090/1275
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 18/27

Acceptance Rate

98.7%
Penn State Berks applications overview
  • Applications Due -
  • Enrollment Rate 9.4%
  • Application Fee $65

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Pennsylvania Resident Tuition

$15,972

Out of State Resident Tuition

$26,958

Breakdown

In State Costs for Penn State Berks
  • Tuition $15,972
  • Books and Supplies $1,200
  • Other Fees $584
  • Room and Board $14,474
  • Budget for Other Expenses $5,020
  • Total One Year Cost $37,250

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$55,300 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

55% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Penn State Berks are Business, Education, and Health Professions. 23% of students major in Business, 12% in Education, and 11% in Health Professions.

  • Business 23%
  • Education 12%
  • Health Professions 11%
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies 10%
  • Communication 8%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Penn State Berks are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=214704.

GPA calculator: Penn State Berks GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026