Penn State Berks vs. VCU

Penn State Berks and Virginia Commonwealth University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Penn State Berks
Virginia Commonwealth University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: VCU (92.6% admitted vs 98.7%). Typical SAT 1140 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: Penn State Berks. Average net price is $23,721 vs $26,836 at VCU.
  • Graduation: Penn State Berks 55% vs VCU 53%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Penn State Berks $55,300 vs VCU $47,500 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Penn State Berks Virginia Commonwealth University
Acceptance rate
VCU more selective
Penn State Berks98.7%
VCU92.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Penn State Berks higher
Penn State Berks1090-1275
VCU1010-1270
Average net price
Penn State Berks $3,115 less
Penn State Berks$23,721
VCU$26,836
In-state tuition
Penn State Berks $973 less
Penn State Berks$15,972
VCU$16,945
Out-of-state tuition
Penn State Berks $13,151 less
Penn State Berks$26,958
VCU$40,109
Graduation rate
Penn State Berks +2 pts
Penn State Berks55%
VCU53%
Median earnings (10 years)
Penn State Berks +$7,800
Penn State Berks$55,300
VCU$47,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Penn State Berks and VCU with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Penn State Berks Check my chances at VCU
  • Applied
  • Penn State Berks 6,030
  • VCU 20,954
  • Admitted
  • Penn State Berks 5,950
  • VCU 19,408
  • Acceptance rate
  • Penn State Berks 98.7%
  • VCU 92.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Penn State Berks 9.4%
  • VCU 21.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Penn State Berks 1180
  • VCU 1140
  • Typical ACT score
  • Penn State Berks 22
  • VCU 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • Penn State Berks 3.39
  • VCU 3.75
  • Typical high school grades
  • Penn State Berks B+
  • VCU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Penn State Berks Average
  • VCU Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Penn State Berks
  • VCU
  • SAT range
  • Penn State Berks 1090-1275
  • VCU 1010-1270
  • ACT range
  • Penn State Berks 18-27
  • VCU 22-30
  • Submit test scores
  • Penn State Berks Test optional
  • VCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Penn State Berks
  • VCU Jan 18, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Penn State Berks $15,972
  • VCU $16,945
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Penn State Berks $26,958
  • VCU $40,109
  • Room & board
  • Penn State Berks $14,474
  • VCU $18,254
  • Average net price
  • Penn State Berks $23,721
  • VCU $26,836
  • Average grant aid
  • Penn State Berks $9,405
  • VCU $14,186
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Penn State Berks 69%
  • VCU 88%
  • Graduation rate
  • Penn State Berks 55%
  • VCU 53%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Penn State Berks $55,300
  • VCU $47,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Penn State Berks 69%
  • VCU 56%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Penn State Berks $26,818
  • VCU $23,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Penn State Berks $277
  • VCU $240
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Penn State Berks 13:1
  • VCU 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Penn State Berks
    • Business (23%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • VCU
    • Business (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Location
  • Penn State Berks Reading, PA
  • VCU Richmond, VA
  • Setting
  • Penn State Berks Rural Fringe
  • VCU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Penn State Berks 1,884
  • VCU 28,464
  • Type
  • Penn State Berks Public 4 Year
  • VCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Penn State Berks #703
  • VCU #465

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Berks in Reading, PA with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 1,884 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Penn State Berks is located in Reading, PA (Rural Fringe setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Penn State Berks is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Berks 13:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks are 20.7% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($14,474 vs. $18,254).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 48.8% higher at VCU than at Penn State Berks (about $13,151 more per year; $40,109 vs. $26,958).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at Penn State Berks (88% vs. 69%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 50.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($14,186 vs. $9,405).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at VCU than at Penn State Berks (26 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Penn State Berks and VCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at VCU average a 3.75 high school GPA, 0.36 higher than at Penn State Berks (3.39).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Penn State Berks vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $3,568 lower median loan debt than Penn State Berks graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,818).
  • Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Berks graduates ($240 vs. $277).
  • More Penn State Berks graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation (69% vs. 56%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Penn State Berks
Virginia Commonwealth University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges