Alvernia University vs. Penn State New Kensington

Comparable Facts

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

Alvernia University is larger than Penn State New Kensington based on total student enrollment (2,796 students vs. 421 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alvernia University is located in Reading, PA (Small City setting); Penn State New Kensington is in New Kensington, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Alvernia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State New Kensington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alvernia University 14:1; Penn State New Kensington 9:1.

Alvernia University vs. Penn State New Kensington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alvernia University or Penn State New Kensington? 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 New Kensington than Alvernia University ($19,504 vs. $28,645).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State New Kensington are 1.2% lower than at Alvernia University ($15,274 vs. $15,460).
• Alvernia University is 212.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State New Kensington (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 New Kensington (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 New Kensington (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alvernia University students is 271.8% larger than aid received by Penn State New Kensington students ($29,034 vs. $7,809).

Alvernia University vs. Penn State New Kensington Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Alvernia University (1190) is the same as at Penn State New Kensington (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alvernia University 1093/1286; Penn State New Kensington 1110/1265.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alvernia University - Test optional; Penn State New Kensington - Test optional.
• Penn State New Kensington has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than Alvernia University (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at Alvernia University vs. 22% at Penn State New Kensington.

Alvernia University vs. Penn State New Kensington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alvernia University and Penn State New Kensington? 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 New Kensington's (40%).
• Graduates from Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Alvernia University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State New Kensington graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alvernia University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State New Kensington 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.