Reading, PA · Public · 1,872 undergraduates · suburban
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks
Less selective
Berks combines a smaller-campus environment with the option to use Penn State’s multi-campus degree pathways.
Institutional profile
Regionally focused Strongest in career outcomes and affordability.- Admission
- 97.1% admitted
- Price by income
- Resident and nonresident prices differ
- Completion
- 36.2%
5,844 applicants in the reported year
Compare recent average annual costs by household income
$63,435 median earnings 10 years after enrollment
What sets Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks apart
Academic design
Berks emphasizes undergraduate research, faculty mentoring and project work while offering majors in business, engineering-related fields, science, humanities and social sciences. First-year seminars and common academic experiences support the transition into college.
Campus pattern
The campus is in suburban Berks County near Reading and includes residence halls, giving it more of a traditional campus feel than a purely commuter center. Regional employers provide internship and applied-learning opportunities.
Defining feature
Berks combines a smaller-campus environment with the option to use Penn State’s multi-campus degree pathways.
Can I get in?
97.1% admitted
Applicants should think through whether they want a degree completed at Berks or a Penn State major that may require transition to another campus.
Recent applicant pool
5,844About 97 in every 100 applicants were admitted.
Academic range
Of admitted students, 29% submitted an SAT, and 4% submitted an ACT. Because ACT scores came from few admitted students, the range describes that self-selected group rather than the full class.
In the season card
Where your GPA sits in the entering class
The full entering-class GPA distribution for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks, in nine bands from 4.0 down, with your own record marked on it.
See where I landIn the season card
What Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks weighs when it reads a file
See how this college describes the role of grades, testing, essays, recommendations, activities, and demonstrated interest.
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Test scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurriculars
- Demonstrated interest
What moves the application
The evidence that separates a strong file
Show preparation for this curriculum
Berks emphasizes undergraduate research, faculty mentoring and project work while offering majors in business, engineering-related fields, science, humanities and social sciences. First-year seminars and common academic experiences support the transition into college.
Make the fit specific
Berks combines a smaller-campus environment with the option to use Penn State’s multi-campus degree pathways.
Account for the tradeoff
Applicants should think through whether they want a degree completed at Berks or a Penn State major that may require transition to another campus.
How to apply
Rounds, route, and required materials
Applicants should think through whether they want a degree completed at Berks or a Penn State major that may require transition to another campus.
$65 application fee
Can I afford it?
Compare annual cost by household income.
Start with the average net price for your income range, then set that estimate beside your other realistic options.
In the season card
Average annual cost by household income at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks
Compare recent average net prices across five federal income ranges and estimate a 4-year cost for yours.
- $0–30k
- $30–48k
- $48–75k
- $75–110k
- $110k+
Is it worth it?
Completion, debt, and earnings
Berks combines a smaller-campus environment with the option to use Penn State’s multi-campus degree pathways.
Degree completion across the reported entering cohort
First-year students who return for year two
And what that comes to against what they earn.
Reported 10 years after enrollment
Academic portfolio
Largest bachelor’s fields
How many students finish in each field, and median earnings four years after completing the program.
Business/Commerce, General
Mechanical Engineering
Accounting and Related Services
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians
Psychology, General
What is campus life like?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks beyond the classroom
The campus is in suburban Berks County near Reading and includes residence halls, giving it more of a traditional campus feel than a purely commuter center. Regional employers provide internship and applied-learning opportunities.
A defining academic feature
Berks emphasizes undergraduate research, faculty mentoring and project work while offering majors in business, engineering-related fields, science, humanities and social sciences. First-year seminars and common academic experiences support the transition into college.
What shapes an ordinary week
The campus is in suburban Berks County near Reading and includes residence halls, giving it more of a traditional campus feel than a purely commuter center. Regional employers provide internship and applied-learning opportunities.
What changes the experience
Berks combines a smaller-campus environment with the option to use Penn State’s multi-campus degree pathways.