Alvernia University vs. Penn State Abington

Comparable Facts

Compare Alvernia University in Reading, PA with Penn State Abington in Abington, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Abington is larger than Alvernia University based on total student enrollment (2,885 students vs. 2,796 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alvernia University is located in Reading, PA (Small City setting); Penn State Abington is in Abington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Alvernia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Abington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alvernia University 14:1; Penn State Abington 14:1.

Alvernia University vs. Penn State Abington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alvernia University or Penn State Abington? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Penn State Abington than Alvernia University ($19,232 vs. $28,645).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Abington are 6.4% lower than at Alvernia University ($14,474 vs. $15,460).
• Alvernia University is 194.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Abington (about $29,732 more per year; $45,000.00 vs. $15,268.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.3% higher at Alvernia University than at Penn State Abington (about $19,336 more per year; $45,000.00 vs. $25,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alvernia University than at Penn State Abington (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alvernia University students is 193.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Abington students ($29,034 vs. $9,883).

Alvernia University vs. Penn State Abington Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alvernia University or Penn State Abington? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Abington and Alvernia University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Alvernia University (1190) is 20 points higher than at Penn State Abington (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alvernia University 1093/1286; Penn State Abington 1070/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPenn State Abington 23/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alvernia University - Test optional; Penn State Abington - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Abington students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Alvernia University (3.41).
• Penn State Abington has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Alvernia University (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at Alvernia University vs. 11.2% at Penn State Abington.

Alvernia University vs. Penn State Abington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alvernia University and Penn State Abington? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Alvernia University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Penn State Abington's (44%).
• Graduates from Penn State Abington earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than Alvernia University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Abington graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Alvernia University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Abington graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alvernia University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Abington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alvernia University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.