- Reading Area Community College, serving Berks County, is a publicly-supported, comprehensive community college which awards the Associate in Arts, the Associate in Applied Science and the Associate in General Studies degrees. Certificates and diplomas in employment fields are awarded as well.
School Highlights
Reading Area Community College serves 6,383 students (19% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 21:1 is higher than the state community college average of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the state average of 48%.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Enrollment: 6,383 students
- In-state tuition: $8,520
- Out-state tuition: $12,030
- Student:teacher ratio: 21:1
- Minority enrollment: 54%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Reading Area Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Debt For Students
School Overview
The teacher population of 298 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Reading Area Community College
(PA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Career & Technical-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
Not applicable, not in Carnegie universe (not accredited or nondegree-granting)
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Private not-for-profit
Total Faculty
298 staff
59 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Reading Area Community College has grown by 49% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 21:1 has increased from 13:1 over five years.
The Reading Area Community College diversity score of 0.63 is less than the state average of 0.68. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
6,383 students
461 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
21:1
15:1
# Full-Time Students
1,234 students
325 students
# Part-Time Students
5,149 students
136 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
638 students
298 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,234 students
326 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
10 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
5,149 students
151 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
12 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
330 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
% Asian
2%
5%
% Hispanic
39%
11%
% Black
9%
15%
% White
46%
52%
% Hawaiian
n/a
3%
% Two or more races
4%
3%
% Non Resident races
n/a
1%
% Unknown races
n/a
10%
Diversity Score
0.63
0.68
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
0.2079%
0.6%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.3587%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$33,300
$34,900
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $8,520 is less than the state average of $11,723. The in-state tuition has declined by 14% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $12,030 is less than the state average of $15,818. The out-state tuition has grown by 9% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$8,520
$11,723
Out-State Tuition Fees
$12,030
$15,818
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
95%
88%
Median Debt for Graduates
$9,858
$13,000
Median Debt for Dropouts
$8,000
$6,260
Acceptance Rate
n/a
78%
SAT Reading
n/a
460
SAT Math
n/a
470
SAT Writing
n/a
435
ACT Composite
n/a
20
ACT English
n/a
20
ACT Math
n/a
21
ACT Writing
n/a
7
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Notes
- Reading Area Community College is an open enrollment, fully accredited two-year educational institution that awards associate degrees in career and transfer programs. Affordable tuition costs are maintained through sponsorship by the County of Berks and support from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Over 5,000 students are currently enrolled in credit courses on campus and over 25,000 people in Berks County participate annually in various non-credit vocational and continuing education training courses. Reading Area Community College was founded on October 1, 1971, and sponsored for 20 years by the Reading School District. Classes were held for the first time on October 13, 1971, with an enrollment of 265 students. The college operated from several buildings throughout Reading during its early years until it acquired the Holiday Inn (the current Berks Hall building) in 1978. In 1996, the college completed a campus expansion plan that transformed it into an attractive city-based campus. In the fall of 2002, enrollment was at a record high of 3,800 credit students. Reading Area Community College is approved by the Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an institution of higher education, and is authorized to award the Associate in Arts Degree, the Associate in Applied Science Degree, the Associate in General Studies Degree, and the Certificate of Specialization, as well as appropriate diplomas and certificates. The Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education Philadelphia, has granted full accreditation to Reading Area Community College.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Reading Area Community College cost?
Reading Area Community College's tuition is approximately $8,520 for In-State students and $12,030 for Out-State students.
What is Reading Area Community College's ranking?
Reading Area Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Pennsylvania for: Largest student body and Least debt for graduating students.
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