Alvernia University vs. Westminster College

Comparable Facts

Compare Alvernia University in Reading, PA with Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alvernia University is larger than Westminster College based on total student enrollment (2,796 students vs. 1,191 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alvernia University is located in Reading, PA (Small City setting); Westminster College is in New Wilmington, PA (Town Fringe setting).
• Alvernia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Westminster College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alvernia University 14:1; Westminster College 12:1.

Alvernia University vs. Westminster College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alvernia University or Westminster College? 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 Westminster College than Alvernia University ($20,394 vs. $28,645).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westminster College are 16.7% lower than at Alvernia University ($12,880 vs. $15,460).
• Alvernia University is 11.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Westminster College (about $4,710 more per year; $45,000.00 vs. $40,290.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.7% higher at Alvernia University than at Westminster College (about $4,710 more per year; $45,000.00 vs. $40,290.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Alvernia University as at Westminster College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westminster College students is 12.1% larger than aid received by Alvernia University students ($32,553 vs. $29,034).

Alvernia University vs. Westminster College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alvernia University or Westminster College? 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 Westminster College and Alvernia University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Alvernia University (1190) is 40 points higher than at Westminster College (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alvernia University 1093/1286; Westminster College 1040/1258.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestminster College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alvernia University - Test optional; Westminster College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Westminster College students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Alvernia University (3.41).
• Westminster College has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Alvernia University (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at Alvernia University vs. 12.1% at Westminster College.

Alvernia University vs. Westminster College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alvernia University and Westminster College? 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).

• Westminster College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Alvernia University's (53%).
• Graduates from Westminster College earn a median of about $900 more per year than Alvernia University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Westminster College and Alvernia University graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Westminster College and Alvernia University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Westminster College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alvernia University students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.