Worcester State University vs. Alvernia University

Deciding between Worcester State University and Alvernia University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Worcester State University
Alvernia University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Worcester State University Worcester, MA
  • Alvernia University Reading, PA
  • Setting
  • Worcester State University Midsize City
  • Alvernia University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Worcester State University 5,745
  • Alvernia University 2,796
  • Type
  • Worcester State University Public 4 Year
  • Alvernia University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Worcester State University #558
  • Alvernia University #611
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Worcester State University -
  • Alvernia University Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Worcester State University Non-profit
  • Alvernia University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Worcester State University
  • Alvernia University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Worcester State University $11,786
  • Alvernia University $45,000
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Worcester State University $17,866
  • Alvernia University $45,000
  • Room & Board
  • Worcester State University $14,307
  • Alvernia University $15,460
  • Average Net Price
  • Worcester State University $12,778
  • Alvernia University $28,645
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Worcester State University $9,464
  • Alvernia University $29,034
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Worcester State University 80%
  • Alvernia University 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Worcester State University 5,156
  • Alvernia University 5,715
  • Admitted
  • Worcester State University 4,537
  • Alvernia University 3,318
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Worcester State University 88%
  • Alvernia University 58.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Worcester State University 16.7%
  • Alvernia University 13.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Worcester State University 1150
  • Alvernia University 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • Worcester State University
  • Alvernia University
  • Average High School GPA
  • Worcester State University 3.3
  • Alvernia University 3.41
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Worcester State University B+
  • Alvernia University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Worcester State University Average
  • Alvernia University Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • Worcester State University
  • Alvernia University Low
  • ACT Range
  • Worcester State University
  • Alvernia University
  • SAT Range
  • Worcester State University 1026/1283
  • Alvernia University 1093/1286
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Worcester State University Test optional
  • Alvernia University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Worcester State University Jun 1, 2027
  • Alvernia University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Worcester State University 16:1
  • Alvernia University 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Worcester State University
    • Business (21%)
    • Psychology (15%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Alvernia University
    • Health Professions (33%)
    • Business (20%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Worcester State University 47%
  • Alvernia University 53%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Worcester State University $49,200
  • Alvernia University $44,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Worcester State University 66%
  • Alvernia University 61%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Worcester State University $20,000
  • Alvernia University $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Worcester State University $206
  • Alvernia University $279
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Worcester State University 38%
  • Alvernia University 33%
  • % Women
  • Worcester State University 62%
  • Alvernia University 67%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Worcester State University Low
  • Alvernia University Low
  • HBCU
  • Worcester State University No
  • Alvernia University No
  • % White
  • Worcester State University 71%
  • Alvernia University 69%
  • % Asian
  • Worcester State University 4%
  • Alvernia University 2%
  • % Black
  • Worcester State University 8%
  • Alvernia University 13%
  • % Hispanic
  • Worcester State University 9%
  • Alvernia University 7%
  • % Native American
  • Worcester State University 0%
  • Alvernia University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Worcester State University 0%
  • Alvernia University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Worcester State University 3%
  • Alvernia University 1%
  • % International
  • Worcester State University 1%
  • Alvernia University 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Worcester State University 4%
  • Alvernia University 7%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Worcester State University 93%
  • Alvernia University 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Worcester State University 6%
  • Alvernia University 27%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Worcester State University is larger than Alvernia University based on total student enrollment (5,745 students vs. 2,796 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Worcester State University is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); Alvernia University is in Reading, PA (Small City setting).
  • Worcester State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Alvernia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Worcester State University 16:1; Alvernia University 14:1.

Worcester State University vs. Alvernia University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Worcester State University or Alvernia University? 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 Worcester State University than Alvernia University ($12,778 vs. $28,645).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Worcester State University are 7.5% lower than at Alvernia University ($14,307 vs. $15,460).
  • Alvernia University is 281.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Worcester State University (about $33,214 more per year; $45,000.00 vs. $11,786.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 151.9% higher at Alvernia University than at Worcester State University (about $27,134 more per year; $45,000.00 vs. $17,866.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alvernia University than at Worcester State University (100% vs. 80%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alvernia University students is 206.8% larger than aid received by Worcester State University students ($29,034 vs. $9,464).

Worcester State University vs. Alvernia University Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Alvernia University (1190) is 40 points higher than at Worcester State University (1150).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Worcester State University 1026/1283; Alvernia University 1093/1286.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Worcester State University - Test optional; Alvernia University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Worcester State University Jun 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Alvernia University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Worcester State University (3.3).
  • Worcester State University has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Alvernia University (58.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Worcester State University vs. 13.3% at Alvernia University.

Worcester State University vs. Alvernia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Worcester State University and Alvernia University? 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 Worcester State University's (47%).
  • Graduates from Worcester State University earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Alvernia University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Worcester State University graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Alvernia University graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Worcester State University graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alvernia University graduates ($206 vs. $279).
  • More Worcester State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alvernia University students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.