Alvernia University

Reading, PA

Yes, connect me!

Alvernia University

Reading, PA

Yes, connect me!

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The Alvernia Advantage

Alvernia University is private liberal arts university guided by Franciscan values that serves more than 3,000 students of diverse backgrounds from all over the country. Its main campus operates on 191 acres in Berks County—three miles from the heart of historic Reading, Pennsylvania—and is an easy car ride from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, DC.

Alvernia offers a unique blend of rigorous liberal arts core education for development of the mind, strong technical training in many high-demand majors, experiential learning through study abroad and internship experiences, and engagement with the community through our Franciscan-based community service model. We call our model of transformational education the Alvernia Advantage, and we believe this style of education transforms students into ethical leaders with moral courage. The Alvernia Advantage results in a superior track record of career placements and quality graduate school opportunities, with 95% of our students either employed or enrolled in a graduate program within six months of graduation.

Alvernia offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and minors that are uniquely combined with a strong liberal arts foundation as well as five-year master's degrees in Athletic Training and Occupational Therapy. Advanced master’s degrees are offered in Business, Counseling, Education, Leadership, Nursing, and Social Work as well as doctoral degree options in Leadership, Nursing, and Physical Therapy.

Alvernia has a longstanding commitment to helping students develop their innate talents, discover their passions, and lead successful lives with deep meaning and purpose. Through experiential learning, students graduate well prepared for success in the workplace.

ACCOLADES

 

Ranked in the top 100 among “Best Regional University in the North” | U.S. News & World Report, 2020
 

Recognized as a 2020-2021 College of Distinction, with specific badges in Business, Career Development, Catholic, Education, Equity & Inclusion, Nursing, and Military Support

Alvernia University’s new Reading CollegeTowne initiative, along with the O’Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, plays a pivotal role in educating students to participate in a global economy. CollegeTowne is a strategic enabler that redefines Alvernia’s academic programs and expands its deep roots in the community, while the O’Pake Institute serves as a catalyst for educational and business expansion. A student-centered business incubator in downtown Reading will provide experiential learning opportunities for all disciplines. This initiative allows students to create, collaborate, and lead while they provide hands-on support to new ventures and entrepreneurs in the community.

An Inside Look

What students are saying about us...

  • “I come from a family with a limited income, so it was a big relief when I got the scholarship. An admission counselor helped me through the application process. After visiting campus, I felt like this was the place where success was waiting for me.”

    • Justin Abreu-Castro ’21
      Accounting

  • “I love being challenged. I didn’t know anyone in DC, and college was the first time I was on my own. You learn more when you leave your comfort zone, and I want to be able to explain that hard work pays off.”

    • Lauren Callueng ’19
      Finance & Management

  • “The best decision I’ve made in my life has been coming to Alvernia. My advisor pushed me out of my comfort zone and set bigger goals [for me]. I went from not being able to speak in class to presenting at a national conference.”

    • Brittany Millard ’18
      Psychology

  • “[Through my internship,] I was responsible for assisting with the live broadcast of television programming for children. Patient involvement was essential in everything we did. I learned skills at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia that I think will translate well to my future career.”

    • Spencer Matthews ’20
      Communications