Catholic University of America vs. Penn State Berks

Should I go to Catholic University of America or Penn State Berks? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Catholic University of America or Penn State Berks is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Catholic University of America vs. Penn State Berks comparison
Catholic University of America Penn State Berks College 3 College 4
Catholic University of America Penn State Berks
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Overview

Catholic University of America Penn State Berks
Location Washington, DC Reading, PA
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 4,968 2,077
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #657
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cua.edu psu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Catholic University of America Penn State Berks
Tuition (In State) $53,040 $15,388
Tuition (Out of State) $53,040 $25,854
Room & Board $16,670 $14,334
Avg Net Price $36,031 $21,728
Avg Grant Aid $34,449 $8,528
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 66%

Admission

Catholic University of America Penn State Berks
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,801 5,605
Admitted 4,965 5,453
Acceptance Rate 85.6% 97.3%
Enrolled % 15.4% 11.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.39
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/28
SAT Range 1090/1290
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2024

Academics

Catholic University of America Penn State Berks
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Architecture (11%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

Catholic University of America Penn State Berks
Graduation Rate 68% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $58,600 $55,300
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,106 $26,818
Median Loan Payment $269 $277

Diversity

Catholic University of America Penn State Berks
% Men 46% 59%
% Women 54% 41%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 64% 68%
% Black 5% 9%
% Hispanic 13% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 5% 3%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Catholic University of America Penn State Berks
% In-State 5% 64%
% Out-of-State 87% 30%

Campus

Catholic University of America Penn State Berks
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Catholic University of America is larger than than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (4,968 students vs. 2,077 students)

Catholic University of America vs. Penn State Berks Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catholic University of America or Penn State Berks?

  • Catholic University of America is 244.7% more expensive to attend than Penn State Berks for in-state tuition ($53,040.00 vs. $15,388.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 105.2% higher at Catholic University of America than Penn State Berks ($53,040.00 vs. $25,854.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Penn State Berks than Catholic University of America ($21,728 vs. $36,031)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks are 16.3% lower than costs at Catholic University of America ($14,334 vs. $16,670)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Catholic University of America than Penn State Berks (98% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Catholic University of America students is 304% larger than aid received Penn State Berks ($34,449 vs. $8,528)

Catholic University of America vs. Penn State Berks Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Catholic University of America or Penn State Berks? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Penn State Berks or Catholic University of America .

  • Accepted freshman Catholic University of America students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Penn State Berks (3.39)
  • Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (97.3%) than Catholic University of America (85.6%)

Catholic University of America vs. Penn State Berks Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Catholic University of America or Penn State Berks? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Penn State Berks and Catholic University of America.

  • The graduation rate at Catholic University of America is higher than Penn State Berks (68% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Catholic University of America earn on average $3,300 more per year than Penn State Berks graduates after ten years. ($58,600 vs. $55,300)
  • Catholic University of America students graduate with a $712 lower median federal student loan debt than Penn State Berks graduates. ($26,106 vs. $26,818)
  • Catholic University of America graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Penn State Berks graduates. ($269 vs. $277)
  • More Catholic University of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Berks students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/