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Penn State Berks
Reading, PA
Penn State Berks is a satellite campus of the renowned Pennsylvania State University located in Reading, Pennsylvania. Established in 1958, the campus offers a wide array of academic programs in various disciplines. With a focus on personalized education, the campus provides a supportive environment where students receive individual attention and ample opportunities for engagement and participation in their education.
At Penn State Berks, students have access to a diverse range of academic programs, including over 20 bachelor's degree programs and five associate degree programs. The campus is noted for its strong programs in business, engineering, information sciences and technology, and humanities. Students benefit from small class sizes, allowing for more interaction with professors and fostering a sense of community on campus.
In addition to its academic offerings, Penn State Berks provides a vibrant and active campus life. The campus hosts numerous clubs, organizations, and social events that allow students to explore and pursue their interests outside of the classroom. Athletics, arts, leadership development opportunities, and community service programs are all part of the enriching experience offered to students. With its commitment to academic excellence and a supportive community, Penn State Berks offers a well-rounded education that prepares students for their future careers and personal growth.
Penn State Berks is a public comprehensive higher education institution located in Reading, PA and set in a suburban environment. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 97%. The freshman retention rate at Penn State Berks is 77.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 60%.
To find out more about what Penn State Berks has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
1,940
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
97%
Acceptance Rate
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
60%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you learn as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly improve. Discover some essential facts about admission policy and requirements at Penn State Berks.
According to the newest information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 5,671 in 2024. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. This prominent school with a rich history offers an unparalleled learning experience to its students.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 29.44% and ACT scores 3.72%. 7.47% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 44.83% between 1,200 and 1,399, 40.8% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 6.9% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 18, 64 between 24-29, 9 in the range between 18-23, and 9 between 12-17.
The average ACT score for all the admitted students in 2024 was 24 and the average GPA was 3.24. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance, and the same goes for your ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 550 for the enrolled first-year students, while the average SAT Math score was 555.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, make sure to consider the freshmen retention rate.
As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for Penn State Berks was 77.5%, which is considered an above-average retention rate and is indicative of the quality of educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 60%.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the perfect choice for you. Gaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the school enrolled 1,944 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 20.32% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 1,940, 61 of which were international students. The school reported to have a total of 91 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 997 male and 720 female full-time students in 2024.
Student Population Diversity
In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. An inclusive student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Penn State Berks.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 172, while the number of Black American students was 155. 275 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 58 as multirace. There were also 33 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this school have.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Penn State Berks is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $15,388 for area residents. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $26,374. Tuition costs at Penn State Berks for international students equalled $26,374.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $26,374 | Not Available | $ 26,374 |
| In-State | $15,388 | Not Available | $15,388 |
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. How much do room and board fees average around at schools?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Penn State Berks was $14,474 in 2024. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2024 came to $6,154 for one academic year.
| Tuition | $ 15,388 |
| Room and Board | $ 14,474 |
| Total Expense | $ 29,862 |
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Penn State Berks, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 396 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $12,191.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
There were 716 students who received need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Penn State Berks isn't available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 1,207. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $3,175,552, and state $2,357,275. The students of Penn State Berks received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $4,881,361, and external in the amount of $625,156.
$5,270
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 1,009 students overall (including freshmen) at Penn State Berks in 2024. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 340 full-time freshmen. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $3,175,552 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $5,000. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $978,139. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $217,968 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
In 2024, this ratio at Penn State Berks was 13:1. That means that there were 13 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 169 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 84 men and 85 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Penn State Berks.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some details about students' life at Penn State Berks.
Student Organizations
Exploring a variety of student organizations can contribute to a more vibrant and rewarding educational experience.
For those drawn to acting, there is a drama club where you can participate. You have a passion for media and communication? Penn State Berks publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
Penn State Berks has a number of services crucial for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
All in all, campus life at Penn State Berks is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Penn State Berks.
Career Counselling
At Penn State Berks, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Penn State Berks is located in Reading, PA.
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Penn State Berks doesn't offer need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Penn State Berks is 97%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Penn State Berks is 77.5%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.