Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Reading, Pennsylvania
97.1% Acceptance Rate
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
97.1%Acceptance Rate
3.39Avg GPA
1219Avg SAT
28Avg ACT
$31,853Annual Cost
$63,435Grad Salary
28.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
97.1%
Avg GPA
3.39
Avg SAT
1219
Avg ACT
28
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1090–1310
ACT Middle 50%
26–29
Avg Net Price
$24,581
Need-Based Aid
28.7% receive Pell
Penn State Berks, established in 1924, is a comprehensive residential college of Penn State University located on 258 acres in Reading, Pennsylvania. Berks offers 20+ bachelor's degrees that can be completed locally, plus the first two years of all Penn State majors. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including the Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building and the Thun Library, maintaining a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Berks' bachelor's degrees are awarded by Penn State University.
Berks' location provides internship opportunities in manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services. The Nittany Lions compete in NCAA Division III athletics in the North Eastern Athletic Conference. The campus's Center for Service Learning and Community-Based Research connects students with local organizations, while its Entrepreneurship Center supports student startups. Berks' proximity to Philadelphia and New York City enhances cultural and professional opportunities.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks Acceptance Rate
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks (Penn State) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 97.1%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 97.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.39 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.19 – 3.38
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.94
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of November 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 109 days left — Priority Freshman
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Penn State reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Priority Freshman
November 1
Decision by: December 24
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Penn State GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Penn State is 3.39. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A's and B's is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.59-3.79 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 3.09 and 3.39, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.
Penn State GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Admissions at Penn State utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.39, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.39 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.19 – 3.38
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.99 – 3.18
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.98
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- Penn State Berks is a Commonwealth campus; admission and financial aid are handled through the unified Penn State system, but change-of-campus and change-of-major each carry their own admission restrictions.
- Engineering majors at Berks require a 2.0 cumulative GPA plus a "C" or better in CHEM 110, MATH 140, MATH 141, and PHYS 211 before formal entrance to the major, with under-enrollment-control majors potentially requiring a higher GPA.
- Penn State accepts applications via either its own MyPennState portal or the Common App, with no institutional preference between the two.
- Penn State is test-optional; self-reported SAT/ACT scores use the single highest combined score from one test date (no superscoring).
- The Rigor Metric: At Penn State, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Penn State
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks (Penn State) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Penn State Without SAT or ACT?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks Average SAT Score: 1219
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks is 1219 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1219 — Slightly Competitive
This score makes it slightly Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to do well to score 1219 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1310 SAT or 29 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1090, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Penn State. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 605 | 550 | 660 |
| SAT Reading | 595 | 540 | 650 |
| SAT Composite | 1219 | 1090 | 1310 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1090 then you are below most of the admitted students at Penn State and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1310 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200
Can I get into Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks (Penn State) with a 1300 SAT?
With a 1300 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks (Penn State) are good but the admission staff at Penn State tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks (Penn State) ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at Penn State is 28.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 28 — Competitive
This score makes Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 28 on the ACT.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 25 | 22 | 27 |
| ACT English | 28 | 22 | 34 |
| ACT Composite | 28 | 26 | 29 |
Can I get into Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks with a 29 ACT?
A 29 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.
One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.
Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 29 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Penn State
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Penn State provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Treat "admitted to Penn State" and "admitted to your major" as two different events
Engineering majors at Berks require a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA by the end of the prior semester plus a "C" or better in specific courses (CHEM 110, MATH 140, MATH 141, PHYS 211) before formal entrance to the major - and if the major is under enrollment control, an even higher GPA may be required. Track this entrance-to-major checklist from your first semester rather than assuming your initial Berks admission secures your intended engineering major automatically.
Build a real 2+2 Plan into your application, not just a backup thought
Penn State's Commonwealth campus system is explicitly built around the "2+2 Plan," where students spend two years at a campus like Berks before transitioning to University Park or another campus to complete a major not offered locally. If your target major isn't among Berks' offerings, structure your first two years intentionally around the general education and prerequisite courses your target campus/major will require, and consult a Berks adviser early about the specific change-of-campus process rather than treating the transition as automatic.
Know that change-of-campus and change-of-major both carry their own admission restrictions
Penn State explicitly states that "admission restrictions may apply" for students seeking to change majors or campuses after enrolling at Berks - this isn't guaranteed just because you're already a Penn State student. If you anticipate wanting to move to a different campus or switch into a competitive major (engineering, business, nursing) after starting at Berks, research that specific major's or campus's current entrance requirements before you enroll, not after.
Apply Early Action (Nov 1) even though Penn State is test-optional
Early Action applicants are reviewed in the strongest applicant pool and receive decisions by late December, and Penn State explicitly encourages early filing - a real advantage distinct from simply "applying early to relax." Since GPA carries roughly two-thirds of the admission weight rather than test scores, use the extra weeks before Nov 1 to ensure your strongest possible GPA trend is reflected, rather than delaying for a test retake.
Expert Insight:
A frequent and Penn State-specific mistake is treating campus admission and major admission as the same decision - a student admitted to Penn State Berks in a general or "undecided" status, or even in a specific major, can still be blocked from entering competitive majors like engineering if they haven't cleared the campus-specific entrance-to-major GPA and coursework requirements, sometimes discovering this only after a semester or two of coursework that doesn't count toward the intended major.
Penn State Profile
Full Name
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks (Penn State)
City
Reading
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
19610-1016
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Penn State Degree Worth It?
Getting into Penn State can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Penn State offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Penn State is $63,400 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.15%.
How much does a degree from Penn State Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks is $31,853. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks is $24,581.
28.7% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 53.7 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Penn State and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Penn State as your choice in the form.
How much does a Penn State Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $63,435. An average Penn State graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Howard University | Washington, DC | 1205 | 25 |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
Degree Programs at Penn State
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Penn State Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $63,435 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
The tuition fee at this university is moderate, around $31,853 per year. Many students seek financial aid and scholarships to manage the cost.
28.7% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The acceptance rate of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks is 97.1% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.39. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 3.09, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3.09, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 2.99 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.39, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Admission to Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1219 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1090–1310.
The application deadline for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks is November 1. Admission decisions are released by December 24. The institution also offers Rolling Admissions, so applying early improves your chances.
The application fee for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks is 65. Fee waivers may be available for eligible students.
The scholarship priority deadline is November 1, 2026. Submit your FAFSA before this date for maximum aid consideration.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
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