Alvernia University vs. Gwynedd Mercy College

Should I go to Alvernia University or Gwynedd Mercy College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Alvernia University or Gwynedd Mercy College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Alvernia University vs. Gwynedd Mercy College comparison
Alvernia University Gwynedd Mercy College College 3 College 4
Alvernia University
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Overview

Alvernia University Gwynedd Mercy College
Location Reading, PA Gwynedd Valley, PA
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,485 2,165
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #626 #510
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website alvernia.edu gmc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Alvernia University Gwynedd Mercy College
Tuition (In State) $41,060 $37,140
Tuition (Out of State) $41,060 $37,140
Room & Board $15,090 $14,142
Avg Net Price $26,166 $26,733
Avg Grant Aid $28,611 $25,995
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Alvernia University Gwynedd Mercy College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,491 1,111
Admitted 3,422 1,040
Acceptance Rate 62.3% 93.6%
Enrolled % 12.1% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.34
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range
SAT Range 1066/1253 1048/1180
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 20, 2025

Academics

Alvernia University Gwynedd Mercy College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (33%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Health Professions (46%)
  • Business (33%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Biology (2%)
  • Psychology (2%)

Outcomes

Alvernia University Gwynedd Mercy College
Graduation Rate 53% 52%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,800 $56,600
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $258

Diversity

Alvernia University Gwynedd Mercy College
% Men 5% 7%
% Women 12% 25%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 69% 57%
% Black 13% 23%
% Hispanic 7% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 0%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 10%

Students

Alvernia University Gwynedd Mercy College
% In-State 69% 80%
% Out-of-State 27% 20%

Campus

Alvernia University Gwynedd Mercy College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Alvernia University is larger than than Gwynedd Mercy College based on total student enrollment (2,485 students vs. 2,165 students)

Alvernia University vs. Gwynedd Mercy College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alvernia University or Gwynedd Mercy College?

  • Alvernia University is 10.6% more expensive to attend than Gwynedd Mercy College for in-state tuition ($41,060.00 vs. $37,140.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 10.6% higher at Alvernia University than Gwynedd Mercy College ($41,060.00 vs. $37,140.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Alvernia University than Gwynedd Mercy College ($26,166 vs. $26,733)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gwynedd Mercy College are 6.7% lower than costs at Alvernia University ($14,142 vs. $15,090)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Gwynedd Mercy College than Alvernia University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alvernia University students is 10.1% larger than aid received Gwynedd Mercy College ($28,611 vs. $25,995)

Alvernia University vs. Gwynedd Mercy College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alvernia University or Gwynedd Mercy College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Gwynedd Mercy College or Alvernia University .

  • The average SAT score at Alvernia University (998) is 74 points higher than at Gwynedd Mercy College (924)
  • Incoming Alvernia University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Gwynedd Mercy College (20)
  • Accepted freshman Alvernia University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Gwynedd Mercy College (3.34)
  • Gwynedd Mercy College has a higher acceptance rate (93.6%) than Alvernia University (62.3%)

Alvernia University vs. Gwynedd Mercy College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Alvernia University or Gwynedd Mercy College? 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 Gwynedd Mercy College and Alvernia University.

  • The graduation rate at Alvernia University is higher than Gwynedd Mercy College (53% vs. 52%)
  • Graduates from Gwynedd Mercy College earn on average $11,800 more per year than Alvernia University graduates after ten years. ($56,600 vs. $44,800)
  • Gwynedd Mercy College students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Alvernia University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Gwynedd Mercy College graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Alvernia University graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Gwynedd Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alvernia University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/