Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus PennWest Clarion Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Rosemont College Penn State Schuylkill Robert Morris University Albright College Concord University Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Frostburg State University Penn State Greater Allegheny Millersville University of Pennsylvania| Alvernia University | PennWest California | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Alvernia University | PennWest California | ||
| Location | Reading, PA | California, PA | ||
| Setting | Small City | Town Fringe | ||
| Enrollment | 2,484 | 6,509 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #739 | #1033 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Roman Catholic | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | alvernia.edu | calu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Alvernia University | PennWest California | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $39,100 | $7,716 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $39,100 | $11,574 | ||
| Room & Board | $14,030 | $10,416 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $27,091 | - | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $25,757 | $0 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 0% |
Admission |
Alvernia University | PennWest California | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 5,703 | - | ||
| Admitted | 3,365 | - | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 59% | |||
| Enrolled % | 14.8% | |||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.41 | 3.31 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 18/24 | |||
| SAT Range | 996/1170 | 940/1150 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | |||
| Application Deadline | Aug 22, 2025 |
Academics |
Alvernia University | PennWest California | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 12:1 | 19:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
Alvernia University | PennWest California | ||
| Graduation Rate | 53% | 53% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $44,800 | $42,500 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 61% | 64% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $25,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $258 |
Diversity |
Alvernia University | PennWest California | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 35% | 39% | ||
| % Women | 65% | 61% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 69% | 77% | ||
| % Black | 13% | 12% | ||
| % Hispanic | 7% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 1% | 3% | ||
| % International | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 7% | 2% |
Students |
Alvernia University | PennWest California | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 72% | 86% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 25% | 13% | ||
Campus |
Alvernia University | PennWest California | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | Yes | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- PennWest California is larger than than Alvernia University based on total student enrollment (6,509 students vs. 2,484 students)
Alvernia University vs. PennWest California Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Alvernia University or PennWest California?
- Alvernia University is 406.7% more expensive to attend than PennWest California for in-state tuition ($39,100.00 vs. $7,716.00)
- Out of state tuition is 237.8% higher at Alvernia University than PennWest California ($39,100.00 vs. $11,574.00)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at PennWest California are 34.7% lower than costs at Alvernia University ($10,416 vs. $14,030)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Alvernia University than PennWest California (100% vs. 0%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Alvernia University students is ?% larger than aid received PennWest California ($25,757 vs. $0)
Which college is harder to get into, Alvernia University or PennWest California? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PennWest California or Alvernia University .
- The average SAT score at Alvernia University (998) is 76 points higher than at PennWest California (922)
- Incoming Alvernia University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at PennWest California (20)
- Accepted freshman Alvernia University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at PennWest California (3.31)
Alvernia University vs. PennWest California Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Alvernia University or PennWest California? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between PennWest California and Alvernia University.
- The graduation rate at Alvernia University is the same as at PennWest California (53% vs. 53%)
- Graduates from Alvernia University earn on average $2,300 more per year than PennWest California graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $42,500)
- PennWest California students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Alvernia University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
- PennWest California graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Alvernia University graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
- More PennWest California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alvernia University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 61%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/