Admit rate has ranged 58%–70% 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.
Alvernia University, a Franciscan institution in Reading, PA, blends liberal arts rigor with career-focused programs—especially in nursing and health sciences—while fostering tight-knit community bonds. With a 58% acceptance rate and near-universal financial aid coverage, it attracts students seeking personalized attention and practical outcomes, evidenced by a 65% graduation rate and strong job placements.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
2,152
In-state tuition
$45,000
Out-of-state tuition
$45,000
Location
Reading, PA
Top Major
Nursing (19% of grads)
Acceptance Rate
58%
6-Year Graduation Rate
65%
Students Receiving Aid
99%
Median Early-Career Salary
$36,427
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$55,055
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.0×
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
Graduation rate
56%
First-year retention
72%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
62%
Pell (lower-income) share
53%
First-generation share
45%
Endowment / student
$8,577
Financial health
2.4 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$64,553
Accounting and Related Services$45,500
Business Administration, Management and Operations$42,682
Marketing$42,682
Criminal Justice and Corrections$39,832
Communication and Media Studies
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
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.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
89
Summer high
85°F
Winter low
28°F
Annual rain
47.6"
Annual snow
17.5"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
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.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
40
Scholarly works
427
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.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
2.2%
Bottom → top quintile
33%
From bottom quintile
7%
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.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Alvernia University?
Alvernia University's acceptance rate is approximately 58% (Reading, PA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Alvernia University?
Admitted students at Alvernia University typically score 1093–1286 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Alvernia University cost?
At Alvernia University, the average net price (after aid) is about $28,138 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Alvernia University?
Alvernia University enrolls approximately 2,152 undergraduate students.
Where is Alvernia University located?
Alvernia University is located in Reading, PA.
Admissions
Alvernia’s admissions process is moderately selective, with a 58% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ([2], [7], [9]). The university welcomed its largest-ever class of nearly 600 students in 2022 ([12]), reflecting growing appeal. Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. since at least 2021 ([8]), admitted students typically have SAT scores between 943–1260 or ACT scores of 18–24 ([7], [10]). The Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone. emphasizes more than grades, though average GPAs hover around 3.0 ([11]).
Application options: Common App accepted, with rolling admissions ([5]).
Demographics: Recent classes skew toward in-state students, with modest racial diversity (no specific percentages provided in sources).
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.
$38,289
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$37,568
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions$36,717
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.
Alvernia’s academic identity merges Franciscan values with professional preparation. Nursing dominates the curriculum, accounting for 19% of 2024 graduates ([14]), followed by health sciences (12%) and business ([17]). The university emphasizes experiential learning, with programs like the Holleran Center for Community Engagement integrating service into coursework ([16]).
Top majors: Nursing, Health Professions, Business, Criminal Justice ([17]).
Teaching style: Small classes (student-faculty ratio not specified) with a focus on mentorship ([19]).
Notable programs: Accelerated degrees and hybrid options cater to non-traditional students ([16]).
Life at Alvernia revolves around its compact campus, where 58% of students live on-site ([22]). The vibe is communal—TikTok tours showcase cozy study nooks and spirited athletic events ([21]), while Niche reviews highlight easy professor access ([19]). Over 50 clubs range from academic societies to esports ([20]), and the Franciscan tradition fuels service initiatives like the annual “Into the Streets” volunteer day ([23]).
Housing: Primarily traditional dorms, with some apartment-style options.
Athletics: Division III teams (Golden Wolves) compete in the MAC Conference.
Culture: Heavy emphasis on community support, with resources like the SOLAR program for First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. students ([23]).
Alvernia’s 6-year graduation rate sits at 65%—above the national average for private colleges ([28]). Pell Grant recipients graduate at a 42% rate ([26]), and alumni earn median salaries of $36,427 one year post-graduation ([29]). The university touts strong regional employer connections, particularly in healthcare ([24]).
Graduation gaps: Non-Pell students graduate at 61% vs. 42% for Pell recipients ([26]).
Career support: No specific placement rate cited, but nursing graduates see high demand ([18]).
Tuition runs $46,850 ([5]), but 99% of undergrads receive aid—averaging $13,706 in grants ([32]). 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 final costs often drop below $30k ([31]). Merit scholarships (no minimum GPA specified) and Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements. are plentiful ([30]).
FAFSA reliance: Strongly encouraged; 100% of students receive some aid ([32]).
Alvernia carves a niche as a values-driven underdog. Its nursing program punches above its weight ([18]), while the Franciscan commitment to service permeates everything from curricula to campus culture ([23]). Unlike larger Pennsylvania privates, it offers an intimate, support-heavy environment—evidenced by recent accolades for 'transformational' undergraduate experiences ([27]). For students seeking close mentorship and hands-on learning without cutthroat competition, Alvernia delivers.
Alvernia University logo · sourceReading | Alvernia University · sourceChange From Above | Alvernia University · sourceHistory & Timeline | Alvernia University · source
