Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Alvernia University #821 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,192 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Alvernia University in the 63.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Alvernia University #1043 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — reflecting strong outcomes for students from diverse backgrounds.
Azimuth ranks Alvernia University #821 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private doctoral/professional university in Leisure and Recreational Activities, PA, Alvernia University enrolls roughly 2,152 undergraduates. Retention is 72.0% and the six-year graduation rate is 55.5%, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. Alvernia University builds its composite strength on return on investment. Azimuth ranks Alvernia University #500 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,192 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Alvernia University in the 63.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's concentration in Health fields — a signature strength — aligns with career pathways that deliver measurable long-term financial returns relative to comparable institutions. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Alvernia University sits in the 73.1 percentile for access and the 14.3 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 36.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 45.0% are first-generation college students, reflecting a student body with meaningful financial need. Mobility outcomes sit in the 29.4 percentile, indicating that while graduates achieve solid earnings, the institution's access constraints limit its overall impact on economic mobility at scale. For families weighing affordability and long-term payoff together, Financial GPS tool offers personalized projections across earnings scenarios.
Published cost of attendance is $57,565. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $23,436, middle-income families pay around $24,131, higher-income families pay approximately $32,152. Azimuth ranks Alvernia University #1222 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 14.3 percentile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000; families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $36,500. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $67,275, median federal debt projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Alvernia University is a strong fit for students interested in health professions who want a private university experience in PA. The university's health-focused program mix and regional location provide a clear path to stable careers in the field. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $67,275, placing Alvernia University in the 71.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $1,192 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 63.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls students from a range of backgrounds, with 36.2% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 45.0% being first-generation students. This combination of access and outcomes makes Alvernia particularly compelling for students from these backgrounds seeking a health-focused education. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 58.1% admit rate makes the application process moderately selective, and the program mix favors health professions over other fields. Students whose interests align with these areas will find the strongest outcomes.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the Alvernia University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Published cost of attendance is $57,565. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $23,436, middle-income families pay around $24,131, higher-income families pay approximately $32,152.
Azimuth ranks Alvernia University #1222 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 14.3 percentile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000; families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $36,500.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $67,275, median federal debt projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Graduates of Alvernia University earn median 4-year earnings of $67,275, placing Alvernia University in the 71.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,192 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Alvernia University in the 63.6 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Alvernia University #500 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Alvernia University's concentration in health and allied health fields.
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other is the largest program with 66 graduates, anchoring the institution's economic profile. The Nursing program graduates 65 students earning median 4-year earnings of $94,679, performing at 1.1× the national benchmark for the field.
The Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General program graduates 45 students with median 4-year earnings of $56,203, at 0.9× benchmark. Criminal Justice and $58,810 earnings reflect 1.1× benchmark performance among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The concentration in Health — representing 19% of degrees — drives consistent outcomes in fields with steady employer demand and clear career pathways.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
65 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
27 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
22 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
31 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
8 graduates
Alvernia University's program mix is anchored in health professions and applied clinical fields — a portfolio shaped by the institution's mission as a health-focused private university in southeastern Pennsylvania. Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other is the largest program with 66 graduates, followed by Nursing with 65 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $94,679, Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General with 45 graduates earning $56,203, Criminal Justice with 31 graduates earning $58,810, and Business Administration with 27 graduates earning $75,705.
Across 0 ranked programs, the institution demonstrates particular strength in health-related fields. The highest-earning programs cluster in clinical and applied health specialties.
Nursing leads with median 4-year earnings of $94,679 from 65 graduates, followed by Business Administration earning $75,705 with 27 graduates, Accounting earning $67,562 with 22 graduates, Criminal Justice earning $58,810 with 31 graduates, and Social Work earning $56,243 with 18 graduates. This concentration reflects Alvernia University's positioning as a health-professions-oriented institution where Health represents the dominant program family.
The program portfolio emphasizes direct-to-workforce pathways in healthcare and nursing, where graduates enter stable, in-demand roles with predictable career trajectories. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these health-professions fields align with sustained national labor-market demand and demographic trends in healthcare employment.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cedar Crest College Higher acceptance rate (26 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 29 miles away; similar median earnings four years after completion | PA | 84% | $67,546 | Compare |
Moravian University Same state (37 miles away) with nearly identical earnings and similar program focus; same institution type | PA | 54% | $67,097 | Compare |
Marywood University Similar admission rate (2.5 percentage points difference) and similar test scores (8 point difference) with similar program focus; located 79 miles away | PA | 61% | $60,125 | Compare |
Albany College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences 68.4% higher median earnings four years after completion with similar cost and similar program focus | NY | 53% | $113,282 | Compare |
Coppin State University 64.5% lower net price with similar earnings and similar program focus; located 79 miles away | MD | 46% | $63,359 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dickinson College Profile match using composite score, four-year earnings, enrollment and region; median earnings four years after completion: $67139 versus $67275; same region (Northeast) | PA | 42% | $67,139 | #769 |
Moravian University Profile match using composite score, four-year earnings, enrollment and region; median earnings four years after completion: $67097 versus $67275; same region (Northeast) | PA | 54% | $67,097 | #990 | Compare |
Connecticut College Profile match using composite score, four-year earnings, enrollment and region; median earnings four years after completion: $67540 versus $67275; same region (Northeast) | CT | 37% | $67,540 | #1082 | Compare |
Wilkes University Profile match using composite score, four-year earnings, enrollment and region; median earnings four years after completion: $69197 versus $67275; same region (Northeast) | PA | 91% | $69,197 | #890 | Compare |
Clark University Profile match using composite score, four-year earnings, enrollment and region; median earnings four years after completion: $63965 versus $67275; same region (Northeast) | MA | 40% | $63,965 | #993 | Compare |
