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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks

Reading, PA·Public·1,872 students
Last updated: April 1, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. graduation rate is below 40%. solid earnings of $57,200 within 10 years.

99%
Accept
1,872
Students
$24,356
Net Price
32%
Grad Rate
$57,200
Earnings
10 yr
$25,000
Debt

About This School

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks is a public institution located in Reading, Pennsylvania with approximately 1,872 undergraduate students enrolled. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 99%. The average net price after financial aid is $24,356 per year. The graduation rate is 32%, and the typical graduate earns $57,200 within 10 years of enrollment.

Penn State Berks is a commonwealth campus of Pennsylvania State University located in Spring Township in Berks County, Pennsylvania.

This campus is a good fit for students who want the Penn State name and resources but need an affordable, smaller entry point — particularly those who may be the first in their family to attend college or who aren't quite ready for the social and academic intensity of University Park. The Penn State brand carries real weight with employers, and a median salary of $57,200 ten years out suggests graduates do find their footing professionally. That said, the 32% graduation rate is a serious red flag that deserves an honest conversation — only about 1 in 3 students who start here actually finish, which means this school works well for some students but not most, and you should ask hard questions about what kind of academic and personal support you'll need to be one of the ones who makes it through. The net price of $24,356 per year is manageable relative to earnings, and median debt of $25,000 at graduation is reasonable, but those numbers only look good if you actually graduate. My honest advice: if Penn State Berks is your path to transferring to University Park or a practical local option with family nearby, it can absolutely work — but go in with a clear plan, connect with an advisor in your first semester, and don't assume the near-universal acceptance rate means success is guaranteed.

Setting
Large suburb
Avg Faculty Salary
$10,158

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing24%
Computer Science17%
Biological Sciences10%
Health Professions7%
Engineering6%
Education5%
Psychology4%
Communications2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite1174
Reading 75th %ile640
Math 75th %ile635

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$15,972
Out-of-State Tuition
$26,958
Avg Net Price
$24,356
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$16,429
$30–48k$15,862
$48–75k$23,583
$75–110k$25,465
$110k+$29,541

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants29%
Median debt at graduation$25,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
32%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
77%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$57,200
after enrollment
Median Debt
$25,000
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$47,200
Female graduates$39,000

Gap: 17% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$25,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$43,600
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$57,200
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.3x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White58%
Black9%
Hispanic/Latino15%
Asian9%
Two or more races3%
International4%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,872 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks

Tulpehocken Road

Reading, PA 19610-1016

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Pennsylvania

Browse all Pennsylvania schools →

See How Colleges Compare

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks?

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks has an acceptance rate of 99%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.

Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks hard to get into?

Not especially. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks has an acceptance rate of 99%, so admissions are relatively accessible for applicants who meet the requirements.

How much does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks cost?

The average net price at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks is about $24,356 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.

What is the graduation rate at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks?

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks has a graduation rate of 32%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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