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University

Alvernia University

Reading, PA

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Overview

A Private, Caring University

Alvernia combines the personal touch and attention of a small private college with many of the opportunities of an outstanding university. It's the best of both worlds! Students' benefit from Alvernia's approach to real-world education infused with traditional theory-based classroom learning that is grounded in the liberal arts foundation. With about 3,000 students, a 12:1 student-to-faculty member ratio and an average class size of less than 20, Alvernia is the perfect size for students to develop and thrive.

Academics & Majors

Alvernia offers students a range of academic programs with a learning approach that is grounded in out-of-the-classroom experiences. With more than 600 courses and 50 majors and minors in nearly every field, including pre-professional tracks in dentistry, law, medicine, pharmacological and veterinary medicine, an Alvernia education can prepare students for the careers they want. Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science candidates can major in the following areas: accounting, athletic training, behavioral health, biochemistry, biology, biology/medical technology, chemistry, chemistry/medical technology, communication, criminal justice administration, digital media marketing, education (early childhood and early childhood with special through middle school ), English, engineering (mechanical, industrial and electrical), forensic science, general science, healthcare science, history, human resource management, liberal studies, management, marketing, mathematics, nursing, occupational therapy, philosophy, political science, psychology, social work, sport management, theatre, theology and undecided. Alvernia University also offers 5-year programs leading to the Master of Education, the Master of Business Administration, the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies and the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. A Bachelor’s degree in biology, healthcare science or psychology may be used to track towards application for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Graduate Program, which is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy (CAPTE).

First-Class Faculty

Alvernia's faculty members are accomplished scholars, experts in their fields, and supportive mentors who are committed to helping students acquire the knowledge they will need to excel once they graduate. Faculty members understand that students learn best when lessons come alive through out-of-the-classroom experiences and that real-world learning helps students develop capabilities that enable them to thrive in the uncertain circumstances of life. Alvernia's faculty members spend time with students as instructors, advisors, and mentors to help students acquire the knowledge and skills needed after graduation. This very personal approach to learning is a hallmark of an Alvernia education.

Financial Aid at Alvernia

Alvernia is also a great value among private universities, and the university works hard to keep its costs affordable for families. In fact, when compared to other leading private colleges, students will find the tuition cost is 8.5% less than the national average. Alvernia also offers generous scholarships and financial aid to help students realize their college dreams.

Alvernia University's Campus

Situated on a scenic 191-acre suburban campus in historic Berks County, PA, the university is bordered by a picturesque park that features hiking trails, a fresh water stream, picnic grove and a nine-hole disc-golf course. And when students are ready to explore big city life, they are an easy care ride away from Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore and Washington, DC. Public Safety Officers are on campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help and serve students while the Health and Wellness Center, staffed by a medical doctor, is available whenever students need a little TLC! Alvernia’s Reading CollegeTowne project, which will expand campus into the downtown area of the city, is already under construction and is slated to open in late 2021. This new facility will feature STEM/engineering and digital media labs, Alvernia’s O’Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, suite-style modern residences, classrooms, and a location for AU’s Esports program, which launches Fall ‘21.

Alvernia Student Life

Alvernia offers a rich campus life that provides hands-on experiences with more than 55 clubs and organizations, including intramural sports, student government, academic societies and much more. While students are here, they'll build their self-confidence as they learn to solve problems, make important decisions, and develop critical thinking and leadership skills. Alvernia features outstanding living and learning facilities to help students achieve and excel. The university has been investing in a number of multi-million dollar additions to the campus that include a new laser laboratory to support science programs, state-of-the-art learning suites developed for the criminal justice and counseling programs, an educational technology center that supports all majors, a new theater and recital hall and a new campus commons which features a dance studio, gym and campus living room. When it comes to on-campus living, Alvernia is second to none. Student housing is well known for offering spacious and clean accommodations that make living on campus a popular choice. Housing choices include traditional residence halls, suites, townhouses and new apartment-style buildings -- all just a short walk to classes and the Campus Commons. Alvernia offers a full range of intercollegiate sports, including baseball, basketball, cross-country, field hockey, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field and volleyball. The university is a member of the NCAA Division III, the ECAC, and the Commonwealth Conference of the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Corporation (MAC), a highly competitive Division III intercollegiate conference. At Alvernia, service learning and volunteer opportunities abound. Students do well and perform good deeds at the same time. It's part of the values-based learning philosophy that is ingrained in the heritage as a distinctive Franciscan university. Caring for each other, the planet and the community come together with a first-class education to provide hands-on learning that leads to professional skills development.

Location & Contact

Address 400 Saint Bernardine Street
Reading, PA  19607-1799
United States
ContactUndergraduate Admissions
Email: admissions@alvernia.edu
Phone: 610-796-8269 
Fax: 610-796-2873

Majors & Degrees

Biological And Biomedical Sciences Associate Bachelors
Biochemistry Checkmark
Biological And Biomedical Sciences, Other Checkmark
Biology/biological Sciences, General Checkmark
Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services Associate Bachelors
Accounting Checkmark
Business Administration And Management, General Checkmark
Business/commerce, General Checkmark
Business/managerial Economics Checkmark
Finance, General Checkmark
Human Resources Management/personnel Administration, General Checkmark
Marketing/marketing Management, General Checkmark
Communication, Journalism And Related Programs Associate Bachelors
Communication, General Checkmark
Digital Communication And Media/multimedia Checkmark
Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services Associate Bachelors
Computer And Information Sciences, General Checkmark
Education Associate Bachelors
Early Childhood Education And Teaching Checkmark
Education/teaching Of Individuals In Elementary Special Education Programs Checkmark
English Language And Literature/Letters Associate Bachelors
English Language And Literature, General Checkmark
Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences Associate Bachelors
Athletic Training/trainer Checkmark
Diagnostic Medical Sonography/sonographer And Ultrasound Technician Checkmark
Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences, Other Checkmark
Health Services Administration Checkmark
Health Services/allied Health/health Sciences, General Checkmark Checkmark
Occupational Therapy/therapist Checkmark
Radiologic Technology/science - Radiographer Checkmark
Registered Nursing/registered Nurse Checkmark
Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling Checkmark
Surgical Technology/technologist Checkmark
History Associate Bachelors
History, General Checkmark
Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities Associate Bachelors
Liberal Arts And Sciences/liberal Studies Checkmark
Mathematics And Statistics Associate Bachelors
Mathematics, General Checkmark
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Associate Bachelors
Biological And Physical Sciences Checkmark
Natural Resources And Conservation Associate Bachelors
Environmental Science Checkmark
Parks, Recreation, Leisure And Fitness Studies Associate Bachelors
Sport And Fitness Administration/management Checkmark
Philosophy And Religious Studies Associate Bachelors
Philosophy Checkmark
Religion/religious Studies Checkmark
Physical Sciences Associate Bachelors
Chemistry, General Checkmark
Psychology Associate Bachelors
Psychology, General Checkmark
Public Administration And Social Service Professions Associate Bachelors
Social Work Checkmark
Security And Protective Services Associate Bachelors
Criminal Justice/law Enforcement Administration Checkmark
Forensic Science And Technology Checkmark
Social Sciences Associate Bachelors
Political Science And Government, General Checkmark
Visual And Performing Arts Associate Bachelors
Drama And Dramatics/theatre Arts, General Checkmark

Admissions

Acceptance Rate

3,683
Applied
2,579
Accepted
2,044
Enrolled
70%
Female icon

Female Admissions

2,012
Females Applied
1,426
Females Accepted
71%
Acceptance Rate
Male icon

Male Admissions

1,671
Males Applied
1,153
Males Accepted
69%
Acceptance Rate

Applying

3.41
Avg. high school GPA for freshman
Admission Requirements
Required Transcript of high school record
Essay
Required for some programs Interview
2 recommendations
Recommended One recommendation

Application Deadlines

Type Application Closing Notification Date Rolling Admissions
Fall freshmen Not reported Not reported Yes
Out of state Fall freshmen Not reported Not reported Yes
Other early decision plan Not reported Not reported
Transfer Not reported Not reported Yes

Test Scores Accepted

Test Avg. Score 25th % Info icon 75th % Info icon
SAT Critical Reading 470 570
SAT Math 470 560
ACT Composite 18 22

Tuition & Fees

Money icon

Tuition

41,060
Private
Fees icon

Fees

1,850
Full-time student fees
14,030
Room & board
7,040
Room only

Financial Aid

20,349
Avg. Financial Aid Package
22,520
Avg. Freshman Financial Aid Package
21,612
Avg. International Student Financial Aid Package
4,113
Avg. Loan Aid
13,054
Avg. Grant Aid
16,212
Avg. Scholarship and/or Grant Aid awarded
100% Percentage of students with need who receive financial aid
65%
Avg. Percentage of Financial Need Met
13%
Percentage of Students Who Had Their Need Fully Met

Student Body

2,044
Total Undergrad students
30%
Out-of-state students

Gender

Male (31.95%)
Female (68.1%)

Campus Life

Housing

Type
College-owned housing Yes
Housing requirements None
Housing options Co-ed housing
Disabled housing
Freshman car parking
% of undergrad students who live in college housing 57%

Student Activities

Student-run campus newspaper Checkmark
Drama/theatre group Checkmark
Student-run radio station Checkmark
Student-run television station Checkmark
Marching band Checkmark
Choral groups Checkmark
Campus events:
Spring Fling Weekend, Homecoming and Family Weekend and Winter Formal

Student Services

Legal services Checkmark
Health clinic Checkmark
Personal/psychological counseling Checkmark
Women's center Checkmark
International students advisor Checkmark

Student Organizations

Greek fraternities
Greek sororities
Local fraternities
Local sororities
Most popular organizations:
Student Government Association, Student Nurses Association of Alvernia (ASNA), Criminal Justice Association (CJA), Sport Management Association (SMA) and Science Association

Campus Security & Safety

24-hour emergency telephone/alarm services Checkmark
24-hour patrols by trained officers Checkmark
Student patrols Checkmark
Late-night transport/escort services Checkmark
Electronically-operated dormitory entrances Checkmark

Athletics

Male icon

Men's Sports

Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
Baseball Checkmark Division 3 No
Basketball Checkmark Division 3 No
Cheerleading No No No
Cross-country Running Checkmark Division 3 No
Equestrian Sports No No No
Field Hockey No No No
Football Checkmark Division 3 No
Golf Checkmark Division 3 No
Ice Hockey No No No
Indoor Track No No No
Lacrosse Checkmark Division 3 No
Soccer Checkmark Division 3 No
Softball No No No
Tennis Checkmark Division 3 No
Track And Field Checkmark Division 3 No
Ultimate Frisbee Checkmark No No
Volleyball Checkmark Division 3 No
Wrestling Checkmark Division 3 No
Female icon

Women's Sports

Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
Baseball No No No
Basketball Checkmark Division 3 No
Cheerleading No Checkmark No
Cross-country Running Checkmark Division 3 No
Equestrian Sports Checkmark Division 3 No
Field Hockey Checkmark Division 3 No
Football No No No
Golf Checkmark Division 3 No
Ice Hockey Checkmark Division 3 No
Indoor Track No No No
Lacrosse Checkmark Division 3 No
Soccer Checkmark Division 3 No
Softball Checkmark Division 3 No
Tennis Checkmark Division 3 No
Track And Field Checkmark Division 3 No
Ultimate Frisbee Checkmark No No
Volleyball Checkmark Division 3 No
Wrestling No No No
Alvernia University
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