- 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 5,369 students (20% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 47:1 is higher than the state community college average of 22:1.
Minority enrollment is 57% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the state average of 50%.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Enrollment: 5,369 students
- In-state tuition: $8,520
- Out-state tuition: $12,030
- Student-teacher ratio: 47:1
- Minority enrollment: 57%
- 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 115 teachers has declined by 61% over five years.
Reading Area Community College
(PA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Associate's Colleges: High Career & Technical-High Traditional
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
115 staff
28 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Reading Area Community College has grown by 36% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 47:1 has increased from 14:1 over five years.
The Reading Area Community College diversity score of 0.65 is more than the state average of 0.00. The school's diversity has grown by 9% over five years.
Total Enrollment
5,369 students
350 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
47:1
22:1
# Full-Time Students
1,083 students
292 students
# Part-Time Students
4,286 students
88 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
5,369 students
366 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,083 students
290 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
4,286 students
88 students
% Asian
2%
4%
% Hispanic
39%
12%
% Black
9%
15%
% White
43%
50%
% Two or more races
5%
4%
% Non Resident races
1%
1%
% Unknown races
1%
14%
Diversity Score
0.65
0.00
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
21%
61%
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 $11,141. The in-state tuition has declined by 16% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $12,030 is less than the state average of $16,403. The out-state tuition has grown by 7% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$8,520
$11,141
Out-State Tuition Fees
$12,030
$16,403
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
81%
89%
Median Debt for Graduates
$9,858
$13,310
Median Debt for Dropouts
$8,000
$6,297
Source: 2025 (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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