Penn State Berks vs. Villanova

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Berks in Reading, PA with Villanova University in Villanova, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Villanova University is larger than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (10,041 students vs. 1,884 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Berks is located in Reading, PA (Rural Fringe setting); Villanova University is in Villanova, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Penn State Berks is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Villanova University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Berks 13:1; Villanova University 10:1.

Penn State Berks vs. Villanova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Berks or Villanova? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Penn State Berks than Villanova ($23,721 vs. $37,201).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks are 18.2% lower than at Villanova University ($14,474 vs. $17,694).
• Villanova University is 324.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Berks (about $51,804 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 151.4% higher at Villanova than at Penn State Berks (about $40,818 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Berks than at Villanova University (69% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Villanova University students is 406.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($47,609 vs. $9,405).

Penn State Berks vs. Villanova Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Berks or Villanova? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Villanova and Penn State Berks.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Villanova University (1450) is 270 points higher than at Penn State Berks (1180).
• Incoming Villanova students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 22 at Penn State Berks).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Berks 1090/1275; Villanova University 1395/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Berks 18/27; Villanova University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Berks - Test optional; Villanova - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Villanova Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Villanova students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Penn State Berks (3.39).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Villanova (27%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Penn State Berks vs. 27.7% at Villanova.

Penn State Berks vs. Villanova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Berks and Villanova? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Villanova University's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Penn State Berks's (55%).
• Graduates from Villanova University earn a median of about $29,800 more per year than Penn State Berks graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,100 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Villanova University graduates have a $321 lower median loan debt than Penn State Berks graduates ($26,497 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Villanova graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Berks graduates ($273 vs. $277).
• More Villanova graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Berks students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.