Alvernia vs University of St. Francis
Side by side: Mass and confession times, faith grades, academics, cost after aid and outcomes.
BFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.Alvernia UniversityReading, PACatholic collegeDFaith: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.University of St. FrancisJoliet, ILCatholic college
At a glance
- Both are Franciscan colleges.
- Alvernia lists Mass every weekday; University of St. Francis lists Mass once a week.
- University of St. Francis has the higher graduation rate: 67% against 56% at Alvernia.
- For families earning up to $30,000, University of St. Francis has the lower price after aid: $8,547 a year, against $23,436 at Alvernia.
Catholic life
Faith grade
BFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
DFaith: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Compass Score
BCompass Score: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
CCompass Score: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Sacramental life
BSacramental life: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
FSacramental life: Minimal (grade F): 0 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Theology and core curriculum
CTheology and core curriculum: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
FTheology and core curriculum: Minimal (grade F): 0 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Campus culture and residence life
BCampus culture and residence life: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
CCampus culture and residence life: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Service and Catholic social teaching
AService and Catholic social teaching: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
BService and Catholic social teaching: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Mass times
Every weekday
Once a week
Eucharistic adoration
Once a week
Campus ministry
3 listed
2 listed
Religious order or tradition
Franciscan
Franciscan
The college
Control
Private nonprofit
Private nonprofit
Location
Reading, PA
Joliet, IL
Setting
City
Suburb
Students
2,485
3,185
Academics
Academic Excellence grade
CAcademic Excellence: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
CAcademic Excellence: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Admission rate
58%
65%
Average SAT
1170
1141
ACT middle 50%
20–32
Graduation rate
56%
67%
First-year retention
72%
79%
Cost and outcomes
Average net price a year
$28,138
$13,006
Net price, up to $30,000 income
$23,436
$8,547
Net price, $30,001–$48,000 income
$23,701
$5,584
Net price, $48,001–$75,000 income
$24,131
$10,749
Net price, $75,001–$110,000 income
$28,016
$11,311
Net price, over $110,000 income
$32,152
$20,192
Median debt
$27,000
$21,079
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$55,055
$63,926
The grades and the Compass Score are Catholic School Compass ratings from documented sources; each college’s page lists its sources. Cost, admission, graduation, earnings and debt are federal data. This page does not rank the two colleges.