Holy Family University vs Alvernia University
Holy Family University and Alvernia University, both located in Pennsylvania, offer distinct educational experiences. Holy Family, a private Catholic university, boasts a higher acceptance rate (85%) compared to Alvernia's 75%. While Alvernia has a slightly larger student body, Holy Family maintains a smaller average class size, fostering a more personalized learning environment. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with popular majors including Business, Nursing, and Education. However, Alvernia stands out with its strong focus on healthcare-related fields, while Holy Family excels in liberal arts and social sciences. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences, including graduation rates, student demographics, and available financial aid options, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Alvernia University |
![]() Holy Family University |
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Overview |
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Location | Reading, Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 73.0% | 82.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 57.8% | 77.0% |
Application fees | $50 | $25 |
SAT range | N/A | 930 - 1220 |
ACT range | N/A | 18 - 24 |
Students submitting SAT score | 19.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 1.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 5,371 | 1,946 |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,103 | 1,499 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 403 | 355 |
Yield rate | 13.0% | 23.7% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $49,480 | $44,660 |
Average net price | $24,917 | $11,935 |
Tuition | $37,780 | $30,590 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,930
Meal plan:
$6,750
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Room/dormitory:
$8,700
Meal plan:
$7,300
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
95.0%
Average amount $26,065 |
100.0%
Average amount $23,364 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
94.0%
Average amount $4,652 |
68.0%
Average amount $5,324 |
Students taking out private loans |
20.0%
Average amount $18,154 |
12.0%
Average amount $9,324 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,032
Men 34.0% Women 66.0% |
2,171
Men 24.4% Women 75.6% |
Graduate students |
504
Men 31.0% Women 69.0% |
840
Men 16.2% Women 83.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 27.8% | 11.0% |
International students | 4.0% | 0.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,079 | 315 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Pennsylvania New Jersey Maryland New Mexico Virginia | Pennsylvania New Jersey Connecticut Florida New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 65.3% | 56.2% |
Dropout rate | 6.2% | 16.3% |
Transferred out | 27.9% | 25.2% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Social Work (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
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