Alvernia University vs. Penn State Brandywine

Comparable Facts

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

Alvernia University is larger than Penn State Brandywine based on total student enrollment (2,796 students vs. 1,236 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alvernia University is located in Reading, PA (Small City setting); Penn State Brandywine is in Media, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Alvernia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Brandywine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alvernia University 14:1; Penn State Brandywine 15:1.

Alvernia University vs. Penn State Brandywine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alvernia University or Penn State Brandywine? 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 Brandywine than Alvernia University ($22,710 vs. $28,645).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Brandywine are 6.4% lower than at Alvernia University ($14,474 vs. $15,460).
• Alvernia University is 195.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Brandywine (about $29,792 more per year; $45,000.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.2% higher at Alvernia University than at Penn State Brandywine (about $19,608 more per year; $45,000.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alvernia University than at Penn State Brandywine (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alvernia University students is 218.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Brandywine students ($29,034 vs. $9,113).

Alvernia University vs. Penn State Brandywine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alvernia University or Penn State Brandywine? 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 Brandywine and Alvernia University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Brandywine (1200) is 10 points higher than at Alvernia University (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alvernia University 1093/1286; Penn State Brandywine 1080/1310.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alvernia University - Test optional; Penn State Brandywine - Test optional.
• Penn State Brandywine has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Alvernia University (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at Alvernia University vs. 16.8% at Penn State Brandywine.

Alvernia University vs. Penn State Brandywine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alvernia University and Penn State Brandywine? 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 Brandywine's (37%).
• Graduates from Penn State Brandywine 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 Brandywine graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Alvernia University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Brandywine graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alvernia University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Brandywine 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.