Alvernia University vs. WCU

Should I go to Alvernia University or West Chester University of Pennsylvania? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Alvernia University or WCU 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. West Chester University of Pennsylvania comparison
Alvernia University West Chester University of Pennsylvania College 3 College 4
Alvernia University West Chester University of Pennsylvania
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Overview

Alvernia University WCU
Location Reading, PA West Chester, PA
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,484 17,275
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #739 #496
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website alvernia.edu wcupa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Alvernia University WCU
Tuition (In State) $39,100 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $39,100 $19,290
Room & Board $14,030 $14,228
Avg Net Price $27,091 $22,973
Avg Grant Aid $25,757 $5,443
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 64%

Admission

Alvernia University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,703 14,778
Admitted 3,365 12,982
Acceptance Rate 59% 87.8%
Enrolled % 14.8% 23.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.43
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/30
SAT Range 996/1170 1080/1260
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

Academics

Alvernia University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (33%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)

Outcomes

Alvernia University WCU
Graduation Rate 53% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,800 $49,000
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $242

Diversity

Alvernia University WCU
% Men 35% 39%
% Women 65% 61%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 69% 78%
% Black 13% 11%
% Hispanic 7% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 0%

Students

Alvernia University WCU
% In-State 72% 87%
% Out-of-State 25% 12%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than than Alvernia University based on total student enrollment (17,275 students vs. 2,484 students)

Alvernia University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alvernia University or WCU?

  • Alvernia University is 406.7% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($39,100.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 102.7% higher at Alvernia University than West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($39,100.00 vs. $19,290.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Chester University of Pennsylvania than Alvernia University ($22,973 vs. $27,091)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alvernia University are 1.4% lower than costs at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($14,030 vs. $14,228)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Alvernia University than West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alvernia University students is 373.2% larger than aid received West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($25,757 vs. $5,443)

Alvernia University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1072) is 74 points higher than at Alvernia University (998)
  • Incoming WCU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Alvernia University (22)
  • Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Alvernia University (3.41)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Alvernia University (59%)

Alvernia University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Alvernia University or WCU? 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 WCU and Alvernia University.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Alvernia University (68% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn on average $4,200 more per year than Alvernia University graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $44,800)
  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Alvernia University graduates. ($23,500 vs. $27,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $37 less per month on federal student loans than Alvernia University graduates. ($242 vs. $279)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alvernia University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 61%)

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