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) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 97.1% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
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
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
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
⏳ 90 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. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.09–3.39 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.59–3.79.Penn State GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
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
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- 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).
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review 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
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Penn State is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Penn State Without SAT or ACT?
Penn State considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks Average SAT Score: 1219
The average SAT score of admitted students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks is 1219 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1219 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1310 SAT or 29 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1090, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Penn State. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's 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 |
Below 1090, you're behind most admitted students; at 1310 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
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?
A 1300 SAT puts you ahead of most of Penn State's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
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 average is solidly above the national mean without being elite-tier.
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 puts you ahead of 75% of Penn State's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Penn State.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Penn State
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Penn State provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
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?
Whether Penn State is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $63,400, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.15%.
How much does a degree from Penn State Cost?
The sticker price is $31,853/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $24,581.
28.7% of students receive a Pell Grant and 53.7% take federal loans at Penn State. File your FAFSA early and list Penn State as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Penn State Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $63,435. That's about 56% above the U.S. median graduate income.
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
Median graduate earnings at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks run about $63,435 a year.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks costs roughly $31,853 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 28.7% receive a Pell Grant at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 97.1%, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks average a 3.39 GPA.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.09 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.99, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks — aim above 1219, ideally within the 1090–1310 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks is November 1. Admission decisions are released by December 24. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The application fee is 65. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is November 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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