Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks logo

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks

Reading, PA

publicbachelors

Quick Facts

Wikipedia
1,887
Total Students
$16K
Tuition (In-State)
$27K
Tuition (Out-State)
$25K
Avg Net Price
97%
Acceptance Rate
24%
Graduation Rate
6-year
77%
Retention Rate

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks

Penn State Berks: Blending a rich historical legacy with a dynamic, independent academic experience.

Penn State Berks offers a distinctive educational journey, tracing its roots back to a 1927 training school for the textile industry. What began as an "Educational Department" and later the "Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute," evolved through a pivotal partnership with Penn State, officially opening its doors as a Penn State center in 1958. This rich history sets the stage for a campus that has continually adapted and grown, eventually becoming a stand-alone college within the prestigious Penn State system.

Today, Penn State Berks provides a vibrant and engaging student experience, catering to both commuter and residential students with dormitories added in the early 1990s and 2000s. The campus has witnessed remarkable growth, expanding from approximately 500 students in 1972 to an estimated 2,800 students currently, reflecting its increasing appeal and academic strength within the region.

Academically, Penn State Berks is known for its ability to offer baccalaureate degrees independently from the University Park campus since 1997. This autonomy underscores the campus's robust academic programs and dedicated faculty, comprising 100 full-time and 70 part-time members. Students benefit from a focused learning environment on a picturesque 241-acre campus, equipped with 15 modern buildings, ensuring a comprehensive and supportive foundation for their future careers.

Key Highlights

  • Traces its origins to a 1927 training school, showcasing a century of educational evolution.
  • Offers baccalaureate degrees independently within the Penn State system since 1997.
  • Home to approximately 2,800 students, demonstrating significant growth since 1972.
  • Features a dedicated faculty of 100 full-time and 70 part-time members.
  • Expansive campus spanning 241 acres with 15 modern buildings.
  • Provides both residential and commuter options, with dorms added in 1990 and 2001.

Timeline

1927
Establishment of the Educational Department of Textile Machine Works, the school's origin.
1930
Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute (WPI) occupies the original Sacred Heart Church building.
1933
Renamed the "Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute" (WPI).
1958
WPI closes; incorporated into Penn State system as "Wyomissing Center of The Pennsylvania State University".
1964
Name changed to "Penn State Berks Center".
1972
Moves to its present Spring Township location and adopts the name "Penn State Berks".
1990
First dormitories added, making it a residential campus.
1997
Begins offering baccalaureate degrees independently and renamed "Penn State Berks-Lehigh Valley College".
2001
Additional dormitories added to the campus.
2005
Splits from Penn State Lehigh Valley; reverts to "Penn State Berks" and becomes a stand-alone college.

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