Alvernia University vs Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Alvernia University is a private university in Reading, PA, and Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is a public university in University Park, PA. Alvernia University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 58% of applicants against 61% at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. Alvernia University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $28,138 a year against $32,875 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. About 86% of students graduate at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus, compared with 57% at Alvernia University. Ten years after enrolling, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus alumni earn a median of about $63,435, against $55,055 for Alvernia University.
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Alvernia University or Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus harder to get into?
- Alvernia University is harder to get into. It admits about 58% of applicants, compared with 61% at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Alvernia University or Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus?
- Alvernia University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $28,138 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $32,875 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Alvernia University and Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus?
- Before aid, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus costs about $39,694 a year and Alvernia University about $57,565. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Alvernia University or Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus?
- Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $19,845 there, against about $23,436 at Alvernia University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Alvernia University or Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus?
- Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is the larger of the two, with about 42,284 undergraduates against 2,152 at Alvernia University.
- Does Alvernia University or Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus have a better graduation rate?
- Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus has the higher graduation rate, at about 86% against 57% at Alvernia University.
- Do graduates of Alvernia University or Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus earn more?
- Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus alumni earn more on average: a median of about $63,435 ten years after enrolling, against about $55,055 for Alvernia University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Alvernia University and Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus require SAT or ACT scores?
- Alvernia University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Alvernia University and Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1093–1286 at Alvernia University and 1240–1420 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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