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SPU UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University Rosemont College Gonzaga Saint Martin's University Albright College University of Puget Sound Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Pacific Penn State Greater Allegheny| Alvernia University | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Alvernia University | PLU | ||
| Location | Reading, PA | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Small City | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 2,485 | 2,737 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #626 | #429 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Roman Catholic | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | alvernia.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Alvernia University | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $41,060 | $49,472 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $41,060 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $15,090 | $12,446 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $26,166 | $23,841 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $28,611 | $39,464 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 99% |
Admission |
Alvernia University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 5,491 | 4,139 | ||
| Admitted | 3,422 | 3,333 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 62.3% | 80.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 12.1% | 18.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.41 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 21/27 | |||
| SAT Range | 1066/1253 | 988/1258 | ||
| 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 15, 2026 |
Academics |
Alvernia University | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 12:1 | 12:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Alvernia University | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 53% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $44,800 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 61% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $266 |
Diversity |
Alvernia University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 5% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 12% | 9% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 69% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 13% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 7% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 1% | 7% | ||
| % International | 0% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 7% | 1% |
Students |
Alvernia University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 69% | 80% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 27% | 12% | ||
Campus |
Alvernia University | PLU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than Alvernia University based on total student enrollment (2,737 students vs. 2,485 students)
Alvernia University vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Alvernia University or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 20.5% more expensive to attend than Alvernia University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $41,060.00)
- Out of state tuition is 20.5% higher at PLU than Alvernia University ($49,472.00 vs. $41,060.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Alvernia University ($23,841 vs. $26,166)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 21.2% lower than costs at Alvernia University ($12,446 vs. $15,090)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Alvernia University as Pacific Lutheran University (99% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 37.9% larger than aid received Alvernia University ($39,464 vs. $28,611)
Alvernia University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Alvernia University or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Alvernia University .
- The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 119 points higher than at Alvernia University (998)
- Incoming PLU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Alvernia University (22)
- Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Alvernia University (3.41)
- PLU has a higher acceptance rate (80.5%) than Alvernia University (62.3%)
Alvernia University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Alvernia University or PLU? 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 PLU and Alvernia University.
- The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Alvernia University (66% vs. 53%)
- Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $7,500 more per year than Alvernia University graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $44,800)
- Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $1,200 lower median federal student loan debt than Alvernia University graduates. ($25,800 vs. $27,000)
- PLU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Alvernia University graduates. ($266 vs. $279)
- More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alvernia University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 61%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/