Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks vs Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks is a public university in Reading, PA. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is a public university in Middletown, PA. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg admits about 98% of applicants and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks about 99%, making Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $23,330 a year at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg after aid, and about $24,356 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks. About 28% of students graduate at both. Alumni of both earn a median of about $63,435 ten years after enrolling.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Reading, PA
Middletown, PA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,872
4,031
Acceptance rate
99%
98%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.19–3.69
3.23–3.73
SAT (middle 50%)
1090–1275
1120–1310
ACT (middle 50%)
18–27
22–31
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$24,356
$23,330
Full cost / yr
$32,242
$32,521
In-state tuition
$15,972
$15,972
Out-of-state tuition
$26,958
$26,958
Application fee
$65
$65
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$16,429
$16,219
$30k - $48k
$15,862
$16,221
$48k - $75k
$23,583
$21,176
$75k - $110k
$25,465
$25,103
Over $110k
$29,541
$29,834
Outcomes
Graduation rate
28%
28%
Freshman retention
77%
82%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$55,620
$55,620
Median earnings (10 yr)
$63,435
$63,435
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
$25,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
29%
26%
First-generation students
29%
29%
International students
4%
14%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Nov 1
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg harder to get into?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is harder to get into. It admits about 98% of applicants, compared with 99% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,330 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $24,356 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?
- Before aid, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks costs about $32,242 a year and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg about $32,521. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $16,219 there, against about $16,429 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is the larger of the two, with about 4,031 undergraduates against 1,872 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks.
- Does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg have a better graduation rate?
- Both graduate about 28% of their students.
- Do graduates of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks or Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg earn more?
- Earnings are similar. Alumni of both earn a median of about $63,435 ten years after enrolling. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg require SAT or ACT scores?
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1090–1275 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks and 1120–1310 at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks vs Swarthmore CollegePennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks vs Haverford CollegePennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks vs Franklin and Marshall CollegePennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg vs Swarthmore CollegePennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg vs Haverford CollegePennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg vs Franklin and Marshall College
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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