Academic Comparison between Penn State Berks and Messiah University

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks and Messiah University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Penn State Berks is a four-year, public school located in Reading, PA and Messiah University is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Mechanicsburg, PA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Penn State Berks is a public and Messiah University is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Messiah University has more expensive tuition & fees ($40,640) than Penn State Berks ($26,668).
  • It is harder to admit to Messiah University than Penn State Berks.
  • Both Penn State Berks and Messiah University have the same submitted SAT scores (1,210).
  • Penn State Berks has higher submitted ACT score (27) than Messiah University (26).
  • Messiah University has more students with 3,231 students while Penn State Berks has 2,077 students.
  • Messiah University has more full-time faculties with 195 faculties while Penn State Berks has 140 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berksvs.Messiah University
Reading, PennsylvaniaLocationMechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
In-State$15,944
Out-Of-State$26,668
2024 Tuition & Fees$40,640
72%% Receiving Financial Aid95%
$9,229Average Amount of Financial Aid$26,414
97.01 %Acceptance Rates78.02 %
10.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)32.00 %
1,210SAT Score1,210
27ACT Score26
33 %Graduation Rate78 %
25 %Transfer-out Rate16 %
76 %Retention Rate86 %
2,077Student Population3,231
140Number of Faculties195
13 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services