Academic Programs & Learning

Academics at Reading Area Community College — retention rates, distance education, enrollment intensity, and student support.

What About Academic Quality at Reading Area Community College?

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

20:1

Average students per faculty member

👨‍🏫

Full-Time Retention

64%

Students continuing to second year

📈

Part-Time Retention

45%

Part-time students continuing

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How Reading Area Community College Compares

Retention at Reading Area Community College runs at 64%, fairly typical for the trade-college space. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio suggests an institution operating at familiar academic-quality benchmarks rather than pushing them.

Understanding Academic Quality Metrics

Student-Faculty Ratio: A ratio of 20:1 means there are approximately 20 students for every faculty member. This moderate ratio balances personalized attention with institutional capacity.

Retention Rates: These show the percentage of students who return for their second year. Higher retention rates typically indicate student satisfaction, academic support, and program quality.

Graduation Rate Survey Cohort: 16% of entering students are tracked for graduation outcomes.

Who Teaches at Reading Area Community College?

Total Teaching Staff
58
Instructional faculty
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
20:1
Students per instructor
Faculty Diversity
4%
Underrepresented minorities

Tenure Status

Tenured (0%) Non-Tenure (100%) Other

Academic Ranks

Professors 14
Associate Professors 15
Assistant Professors 9
Instructors & Lecturers 15
Other Instructional Staff 5

Understanding Faculty Composition

Reading Area Community College's teaching staff of 58 includes faculty at various academic ranks. Tenured professors make up 0% of instructional staff. The mix of ranked faculty and instructors supports diverse learning experiences.

Where Do Online Students at Reading Area Community College Come From?

Geographic distribution of students enrolled exclusively in online courses (Fall 2024 census)

Exclusively Online
1,406
of 5,369 total (26.2%)
Some Online Courses
1,146
of 5,369 total (21.3%)

Where exclusively-online students are located

Same state (PA) 1,360 (96.7%)
Other US states 14 (1%)
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About this data: The geographic breakdown above uses IPEDS Fall Enrollment census data, which captures a single-day snapshot. The enrollment figures in the "How Do Students Learn?" section above use 12-month unduplicated headcount, which typically shows higher numbers as it covers the full academic year. Both are official IPEDS data — they measure different things.

97% of Reading Area Community College's exclusively online students are located in PA. The school primarily serves local online learners.

What Is the Academic Load at Reading Area Community College?

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Analysis

2,622
Total FTE
2,622
Undergraduate FTE

FTE Analysis

Study Intensity:48.8% FTE ratio indicates many students attend part-time

Academic Load: FTE represents the equivalent of full-time students based on credit hours, helping compare institutional capacity regardless of part-time enrollment.

The FTE calculation at Reading Area Community College provides a normalized enrollment figure — useful for understanding how many students are engaged on a full-time basis.

How Intensively Do Students Study at Reading Area Community College?

Student Enrollment Intensity

The Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) ratio shows the average course load intensity. An FTE ratio of 1.0 means all students attend full-time, while lower values indicate more part-time enrollment.

48.8%
FTE Ratio
Intensity LevelLow

Predominantly part-time students, designed for maximum scheduling flexibility and adult learners.

Undergraduate FTE
2,622
Total FTE
2,622
Headcount
5,369

FTE represents student enrollment adjusted for course load. Two half-time students equal 1 FTE.

FTE Ratio Scale

< 0.5
Low
0.5-0.65
Mod-Low
0.65-0.8
Moderate
0.8-0.95
High
≥ 0.95
Very High

A 0.49 FTE-to-headcount ratio at Reading Area Community College reflects the mix of full-time and part-time enrollment. Higher values indicate more full-time students.

Academic Support & Resources

Academic Advising

Students have access to academic advisors who can help with course selection, degree planning, and career guidance. Contact the admissions office to learn about advising services.

Student Success Services

Many institutions offer tutoring, study groups, and academic success workshops. These resources help students develop study skills and overcome academic challenges.

For detailed information about academic support services, tutoring hours, and learning resources, contact Reading Area Community College directly at 6103724721 or visit their website .

Key Academic Highlights

  • Student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1 supports personalized learning
  • 58 instructional staff with 0% holding tenured positions
  • Flexible scheduling options accommodate working students and adult learners
  • Online students primarily from PA (97% in-state)

Ready to Learn More About Academics at Reading Area Community College?

Contact the admissions office to discuss academic programs, support services, and learning options.

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