Students at Alvernia University achieve earnings that exceed expectations, with graduates earning about $11,459 more than similar students at comparable institutions nationwide.
The university's focus on nursing and health sciences creates particularly strong outcomes for students entering high-demand healthcare careers.
Alvernia University is a private nonprofit institution in Reading, Pennsylvania, that combines the personal attention of a smaller campus with career-focused programs that deliver solid long-term outcomes. With 45% of students being first-generation college goers and about one-third receiving Pell Grants, Alvernia serves a diverse student body seeking practical pathways to professional careers. The university's 58% six-year graduation rate reflects its commitment to supporting students through completion, particularly in high-demand fields like nursing and health sciences.
What distinguishes Alvernia is its focus on professional preparation in growing sectors. Graduates earn a median of $55,055 ten years after enrollment, with particularly strong outcomes in nursing, where graduates earn around $64,553 and represent the university's largest and most successful program. The institution's earnings performance places it above average nationally, with graduates earning about $11,459 more than similar students at comparable institutions.
As a medium-sized private university, Alvernia offers the advantages of smaller class sizes and direct faculty mentorship while maintaining strong connections to regional employers in healthcare, business, and allied health fields. For students seeking a supportive environment with clear career pathways, particularly in nursing and health-related professions, Alvernia provides a focused educational experience that translates into meaningful professional opportunities.
Alvernia University's program portfolio centers on professional fields with clear career pathways, led by nursing programs that combine high enrollment with strong earnings outcomes. Adult Health Nursing stands out as both the university's largest program, graduating about 70 students annually, and its highest-earning field, with graduates earning a median of $64,553 ten years out. This combination of scale and outcomes makes nursing the economic engine of the institution.
Business Administration represents another key strength, with about 30 graduates annually earning median salaries of $42,682. While smaller in scale than nursing, business programs provide solid middle-class earnings and serve students seeking management and entrepreneurial careers in the regional economy. The program's consistent outcomes reflect Alvernia's connections to local and regional employers who value the university's practical, career-focused approach to business education.
General Health Services, while showing more modest early earnings around $31,127, represents the university's broader commitment to healthcare education beyond nursing. With about 40 graduates annually, this program serves students entering various allied health roles that provide stable employment and opportunities for career advancement. Together, these programs demonstrate Alvernia's strategic focus on healthcare and business sectors where regional demand remains strong and career pathways are well-established.
Alvernia University graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $55,055 ten years after enrollment. More importantly, graduates earn approximately $11,459 more than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating the university's ability to add meaningful value beyond what would be expected based on student characteristics. This earnings advantage places Alvernia above average nationally for return on investment, reflecting the practical, career-focused nature of its academic programs.
The university's strongest financial returns come from its nursing programs, which represent both the largest enrollment and highest earnings outcomes. Adult Health Nursing graduates, numbering about 70 students, earn a median of $64,553 ten years out, significantly above the institutional average. Business Administration graduates, while fewer in number at about 30 students, also perform well with median earnings of $42,682. These programs demonstrate Alvernia's strength in professional fields with clear career pathways and strong regional employer demand.
The university's focus on healthcare and business programs creates a portfolio that balances enrollment scale with earnings potential. While some programs like General Health Services show more modest early earnings around $31,127, the overall mix supports consistent outcomes for graduates entering stable, growing professional sectors. This approach helps explain why Alvernia graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations compared with students at similar private institutions nationwide.
Affordability at Alvernia University reflects the typical cost structure of a private nonprofit institution, with net prices that require careful family planning. Low-income students pay approximately $27,979 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $26,381 per year, and higher-income families pay about $30,036. These prices place Alvernia in the lower tier nationally for affordability, which is common among private institutions that rely more heavily on tuition revenue than their public counterparts.
The university's financial aid approach appears to provide some relief for middle-income families, who actually pay slightly less than low-income students after aid is applied. This suggests merit-based aid or middle-income assistance programs that help families who might not qualify for the largest need-based grants but still require support to make private education accessible. The relatively narrow spread between income bands also indicates consistent pricing policies across different family income levels.
What makes Alvernia's costs more manageable is the institution's track record of supporting students through completion and into careers with solid earning potential. The combination of a 58% six-year graduation rate and above-average long-term earnings helps justify the higher upfront investment, particularly for students entering high-demand fields like nursing where career prospects and earning potential remain strong throughout the region.
Alvernia University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
