Alvernia University vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

Penn State Harrisburg is larger than Alvernia University based on total student enrollment (4,478 students vs. 2,796 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Alvernia University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alvernia University or Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Harrisburg than Alvernia University ($23,788 vs. $28,645).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 6.4% lower than at Alvernia University ($14,474 vs. $15,460).
• Alvernia University is 181.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $29,028 more per year; $45,000.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.9% higher at Alvernia University than at Penn State Harrisburg (about $18,042 more per year; $45,000.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alvernia University than at Penn State Harrisburg (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alvernia University students is 214.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($29,034 vs. $9,245).

Alvernia University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 30 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 Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPenn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alvernia University - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Alvernia University (3.41).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) 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 Harrisburg.

Alvernia University vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alvernia University and Penn State Harrisburg? 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).

• Penn State Harrisburg's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Alvernia University's (53%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Alvernia University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alvernia University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Harrisburg 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.