
Reading, PAprivate nonprofitwww.albright.edu/home/
Admit rate has ranged 76%–86% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Albright College, a small liberal arts school in Reading, Pennsylvania, stands out for its flexible, interdisciplinary approach to academics—encouraging students to 'combine and cross majors' without extending their time to graduation. With an acceptance rate hovering around 76-86%, it’s accessible yet maintains a tight-knit, diverse community. However, its 42% four-year graduation rate and middling retention stats suggest students may need extra motivation to stick it out.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Outcomes & value
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Albright College is moderately selective, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ranging from 76% to 86% across sources, making it accessible to a broad range of applicants. The average admitted student has a GPA of 3.05, an SAT score of 1120, or an ACT score of 23. Unlike hyper-competitive schools, Albright’s admissions process leans toward Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone. rather than rigid cutoffs. Notably, the college uses the Common Data Set (CDS) for transparency, though specifics on Merit aidScholarship money awarded for achievements like grades, talents, or test scores — not based on your family's financial need. distribution aren’t always publicly detailed. Rolling admissions mean applicants can expect decisions without the pressure of a hard deadline.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Albright’s academic vibe is flexible and interdisciplinary, with a strong emphasis on customizing degree paths. Students are actively encouraged to blend majors—say, pairing Business Administration (the most popular major) with Fashion Design or Artificial Intelligence—without delaying graduation. The AI program, a standout, focuses on machine learning and automation, reflecting the college’s push toward contemporary fields. Small class sizes foster close faculty interaction, though the 42% four-year graduation rate hints that some students struggle to navigate the freedom. Popular majors include:
Life at Albright revolves around its compact, walkable campus, described as 'beautiful' and 'welcoming' by students. The residential experience is central, with housing managed out of the McMillan Student Center—a hub for mail, cafes, and socializing. Over 50 clubs and organizations range from spiritual groups (the college emphasizes 'spiritual awareness' as part of personal growth) to niche academic societies. Diversity is a noted strength, with a student body that’s varied in background and interests. However, the 62% freshman retention rate—below the national average for similar colleges—suggests some students may find the transition rocky.
Albright’s outcomes are a mixed bag. The four-year graduation rate is 42%, rising to 47% at six years—both below the median for private colleges. Early-career alumni earn around $40,000 annually, typical for liberal arts grads but not exceptional. The 62% freshman retention rate lags behind peer institutions (75% is the benchmark), indicating academic or social fit issues for some. While the college touts career-prep support, these metrics suggest students may need to proactively seek resources to maximize their post-grad prospects.
Albright’s sticker price is $47,322, but like many private colleges, it discounts heavily. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator suggests most students pay far less, thanks to Merit aidScholarship money awarded for achievements like grades, talents, or test scores — not based on your family's financial need. and grants. All first-years are considered for scholarships, which can slash costs significantly. Financial aid packages often include campus employment opportunities, easing the burden. Still, the college’s lower graduation rates mean families should weigh the risk of paying for extra semesters against the upfront discounts.
Albright’s interdisciplinary DNA sets it apart: Few schools so aggressively promote major-mixing without penalty. Its AI program is a sleeper hit in a field dominated by tech giants, and the diverse, engaged campus fosters strong peer connections. But the college’s weak retention and graduation stats reveal a gap between its innovative ideals and student follow-through. Ideal for self-directed learners who’ll exploit its flexibility, Albright demands initiative—both academically and socially—to pay off.