Alvernia University
Reading, United States • Founded 1958
Overview
Established in 1958, the Alvernia University is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Reading (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Pennsylvania.
Officially accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Alvernia University (AU) is a small-sized coeducational US higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion. Alvernia University (AU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 66-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 50-59% making this US higher education organization an averagely selective institution.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
AU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Alvernia University's street address and primary contact methods. Social channels often differentiate by purpose — admissions on one, alumni on another, events on a third.
Academic Details
Below are the institutional metrics for Alvernia University: scale, staffing balance, and accreditation context. These shape the academic experience more than headline rankings often suggest.
Programs Offered
Browse Alvernia University's programmes by level, or filter by name to find a specific course. The grouping helps when you have a target qualification tier but want to compare specific programme content.
Bachelor's Degree
40 programmes
At undergraduate level, Alvernia University offers 40 programmes. These bachelor's degrees typically open both direct employment pathways and routes into postgraduate specialisation.
Political Science and Government Politics & International Relations
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Performing Arts
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General Health Sciences
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions Counselling & Psychotherapy
Public Health Public Health
Social Work Social Work
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other Health Sciences
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Business/Managerial Economics Economics
Finance and Financial Management Services Finance, Banking & Insurance
Human Resources Management and Services Human Resource Management
Marketing Advertising & Digital Marketing
History History
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
Communication and Media Studies Communication Studies
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication Media Studies & Mass Media
Computer and Information Sciences, General Computer Sciences
Special Education and Teaching Special Education
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering
Industrial Engineering Industrial & Systems Engineering
English Language and Literature, General English Language Studies
Natural Resources Conservation and Research Forestry & Natural Resources
Biology, General Biological Sciences
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Biochemistry
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other Biological Sciences
Mathematics Mathematics
Biological and Physical Sciences Liberal Arts
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Sport and Exercise Science
Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
Religion/Religious Studies Philosophy & Ethics
Chemistry Chemistry
Psychology, General Psychology
Criminal Justice and Corrections Criminal Law & Justice
Security Science and Technology Criminal Law & Justice
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
12 programmes
Alvernia University provides 12 programmes at master's level for graduates who want to specialise further or strengthen their standing for doctoral applications.
Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities Health Sciences
Social Work Social Work
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions Counselling & Psychotherapy
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions Rehabilitation Sciences
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Education, General Education & Teaching
Educational Administration and Supervision Educational Leadership
Special Education and Teaching Special Education
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language Education & Teaching
Sustainability Studies Liberal Arts
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Doctorate
2 programmes
Browse 2 programmes of research-degree study at Alvernia University. Each culminates in a thesis defended before examiners as an original scholarly contribution.
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions Rehabilitation Sciences
Human Resources Management and Services Human Resource Management
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Professional Doctorate
2 programmes
Browse 2 programmes of research-degree study at Alvernia University. Each culminates in a thesis defended before examiners as an original scholarly contribution.
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions Rehabilitation Sciences
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications
3 programmes
This group collects Alvernia University's 3 programmes of certificates, diplomas, and foundation or associate programmes — practical entry points or stepping stones toward a degree.
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General Health Sciences
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences
Business/Commerce, General Business Administration
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to Alvernia University
A practical five-step guide to applying to Alvernia University, from programme research through submission and follow-up.
- 1 Browse the programme catalogue
Use the programme finder to browse Alvernia University's 59 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.
- 2 Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Programme-level requirements at Alvernia University typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.
- 3 Get your documents ready
Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.
- 4 Apply through the official channel
Alvernia University processes applications through www.alvernia.edu. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.
- 5 Reach out and track your application
Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (610) 796 8200. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Alvernia University
Quick answers to the most common questions about Alvernia University — covering location, founding, ranking, programmes, and admissions context.
When did Alvernia University open?
Alvernia University traces its founding to 1958 (approximately 68 years ago).
What city is Alvernia University in?
Alvernia University operates from Reading, United States.
What is Alvernia University's control type?
Alvernia University operates as a private institution.
How big is Alvernia University's student body?
Alvernia University serves approximately 2,000-2,999 students.
What is Alvernia University's religious tradition?
Alvernia University is associated with Christian-Catholic.
Is Alvernia University officially recognised?
Alvernia University is accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
How do I find Alvernia University online?
The institution's website is www.alvernia.edu.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United States
Selectivity at the top the United States universities sets admissions baseline expectations for students applying to Alvernia University. The selectivity gap between Alvernia University and the leaders below tells you about admissions context.
Members of Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU)
Tuition reciprocity exists in some Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) networks, where members charge in-network rates for student exchanges. Worth checking specific bilateral terms within the broader membership.
Other American Universities Affiliated with Christian-Catholic
Curriculum integration of Christian-Catholic content varies — some affiliated universities maintain core religious modules, others treat affiliation as cultural orientation only. Worth verifying programme by programme.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
Beyond Alvernia University, the surrounding area hosts several universities with overlapping research strengths and faculty mixes. They are worth comparing if location flexibility matters to your decision and you want to keep options open within the same region.
Where Else to Study Health Sciences
Cohort diversity (gender, nationality, prior experience) shapes the Health Sciences classroom experience. Some the United States programmes publish demographic data; others do not, but the question is worth asking.
Universities Often Compared with Alvernia University
Admissions advisor commonalities exist within peer tiers — advisors recommending Alvernia University often recommend the universities below alongside it as natural cross-applications.
