Alvernia University vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny

Comparable Facts

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

Alvernia University is larger than Penn State Greater Allegheny based on total student enrollment (2,796 students vs. 352 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alvernia University is located in Reading, PA (Small City setting); Penn State Greater Allegheny is in McKeesport, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Alvernia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Greater Allegheny is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alvernia University 14:1; Penn State Greater Allegheny 9:1.

Alvernia University vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alvernia University or Penn State Greater Allegheny? 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 Greater Allegheny than Alvernia University ($15,574 vs. $28,645).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Greater Allegheny are 6.4% lower than at Alvernia University ($14,474 vs. $15,460).
• Alvernia University is 212.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Greater Allegheny (about $30,592 more per year; $45,000.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.5% higher at Alvernia University than at Penn State Greater Allegheny (about $20,866 more per year; $45,000.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alvernia University than at Penn State Greater Allegheny (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alvernia University students is 161.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Greater Allegheny students ($29,034 vs. $11,121).

Alvernia University vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alvernia University or Penn State Greater Allegheny? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Greater Allegheny and Alvernia University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Alvernia University (1190) is 10 points higher than at Penn State Greater Allegheny (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Alvernia University 1093/1286; Penn State Greater Allegheny 1080/1280.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alvernia University - Test optional; Penn State Greater Allegheny - Test optional.
• Penn State Greater Allegheny has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Alvernia University (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at Alvernia University vs. 19.5% at Penn State Greater Allegheny.

Alvernia University vs. Penn State Greater Allegheny Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alvernia University and Penn State Greater Allegheny? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Alvernia University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Penn State Greater Allegheny's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Greater Allegheny 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 Greater Allegheny graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Alvernia University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Greater Allegheny graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alvernia University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Greater Allegheny 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.