Alvernia University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley

Comparable Facts

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

Alvernia University is larger than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (2,796 students vs. 867 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Alvernia University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alvernia University or Penn State Lehigh Valley? 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 Lehigh Valley than Alvernia University ($19,066 vs. $28,645).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Lehigh Valley are 1.2% lower than at Alvernia University ($15,274 vs. $15,460).
• Alvernia University is 195.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Lehigh Valley (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 Lehigh Valley (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 Lehigh Valley (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alvernia University students is 220.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($29,034 vs. $9,065).

Alvernia University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1230) is 40 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 Lehigh Valley 1130/1320.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alvernia University - Test optional; Penn State Lehigh Valley - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Lehigh Valley students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Alvernia University (3.41).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Alvernia University (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at Alvernia University vs. 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

Alvernia University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alvernia University and Penn State Lehigh Valley? 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 Lehigh Valley's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Lehigh Valley 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 Lehigh Valley graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Alvernia University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alvernia University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Lehigh Valley 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.