Academic Comparison between Penn State Behrend and Alvernia

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College and Alvernia University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Penn State Behrend is a four-year, public school located in Erie, PA and Alvernia is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Reading, PA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Penn State Behrend is a public and Alvernia is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Alvernia has more expensive tuition & fees ($45,000) than Penn State Behrend ($26,958).
  • It is harder to admit to Alvernia than Penn State Behrend.
  • Penn State Behrend has a higher submitted SAT score (1,220) than Alvernia (1,170).
  • Penn State Behrend has more students with 3,336 students while Alvernia has 2,796 students.
  • Penn State Behrend has a lower number of students per faculty with 12 to 1 while Alvernia's ratio is 14 to 1.
  • Penn State Behrend has more full-time faculties with 256 faculties while Alvernia has 122 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Penn State Behrend Alvernia
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend Collegevs.Alvernia University
Erie, PennsylvaniaLocationReading, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Carnegie ClassificationDoctoral / Research University
In-State$15,972
Out-Of-State$26,958
2025 Tuition & Fees$45,000
74%% Receiving Financial Aid87%
$11,249Average Amount of Financial Aid$24,690
96.83 %Acceptance Rates58.06 %
14.52 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)13.32 %
1,220SAT Score1,170
27ACT Score-
44 %Graduation Rate56 %
24 %Transfer-out Rate32 %
83 %Retention Rate72 %
3,336Student Population2,796
256Number of Faculties122
12 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio14 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services