Alvernia University vs. VCU

Should I go to Alvernia University or Virginia Commonwealth University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Alvernia University or VCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Alvernia University vs. Virginia Commonwealth University comparison
Alvernia University Virginia Commonwealth University College 3 College 4
Alvernia University Virginia Commonwealth University
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Overview

Alvernia University VCU
Location Reading, PA Richmond, VA
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 2,485 28,238
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #626 #469
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website alvernia.edu vcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Alvernia University VCU
Tuition (In State) $41,060 $12,850
Tuition (Out of State) $41,060 $34,744
Room & Board $15,090 $16,119
Avg Net Price $26,166 $22,852
Avg Grant Aid $28,611 $12,433
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

Alvernia University VCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,491 19,052
Admitted 3,422 17,729
Acceptance Rate 62.3% 93.1%
Enrolled % 12.1% 25.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.75
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/30
SAT Range 1066/1253 1030/1270
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 18, 2025

Academics

Alvernia University VCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (33%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)

Outcomes

Alvernia University VCU
Graduation Rate 53% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,800 $47,500
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $279 $240

Diversity

Alvernia University VCU
% Men 5% 8%
% Women 12% 17%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 69% 50%
% Black 13% 18%
% Hispanic 7% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 6%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Alvernia University VCU
% In-State 69% 92%
% Out-of-State 27% 6%

Campus

Alvernia University VCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than than Alvernia University based on total student enrollment (28,238 students vs. 2,485 students)

Alvernia University vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alvernia University or VCU?

  • Alvernia University is 219.5% more expensive to attend than VCU for in-state tuition ($41,060.00 vs. $12,850.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 18.2% higher at Alvernia University than Virginia Commonwealth University ($41,060.00 vs. $34,744.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Virginia Commonwealth University than Alvernia University ($22,852 vs. $26,166)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alvernia University are 6.8% lower than costs at Virginia Commonwealth University ($15,090 vs. $16,119)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Alvernia University as Virginia Commonwealth University (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alvernia University students is 130.1% larger than aid received Virginia Commonwealth University ($28,611 vs. $12,433)

Alvernia University vs. VCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alvernia University or VCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between VCU or Alvernia University .

  • The average SAT score at Virginia Commonwealth University (1097) is 99 points higher than at Alvernia University (998)
  • Incoming VCU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Alvernia University (22)
  • Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Alvernia University (3.41)
  • VCU has a higher acceptance rate (93.1%) than Alvernia University (62.3%)

Alvernia University vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Alvernia University or VCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between VCU and Alvernia University.

  • The graduation rate at Alvernia University is the same as at Virginia Commonwealth University (53% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn on average $2,700 more per year than Alvernia University graduates after ten years. ($47,500 vs. $44,800)
  • Virginia Commonwealth University students graduate with a $3,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Alvernia University graduates. ($23,250 vs. $27,000)
  • VCU graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than Alvernia University graduates. ($240 vs. $279)
  • More Alvernia University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/