The roots of Alvernia University were planted in 1926 when the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of Saint Francis established an orphanage in the building now known as Francis Hall; eventually the orphanage became an elementary school.
With a College of Arts and Sciences and a College of Professional Studies, Alvernia today offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and minors. Programs offered include majors in:
Alvernia fosters the missionary spirit of the Bernardine Sisters, valuing diversity of thought, faiths, and cultures, where creativity is celebrated and service is paramount.
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2019. By rating institutions on a scale from 1 to 5, on multiple studies-related questions, we found the top educators in the world.
Learn more about the Global Student Satisfaction AwardsEleven residence halls including traditional halls, suite-style apartments, townhouses, and apartment-style halls.
The 121-acre campus in historic Berks County is situated three miles from center-city Reading in the scenic Blue Mountain area of Eastern Pennsylvania. There are two satellite centers in Philadelphia and Pottsville (Schuylkill County).
NCAA Division III, new member of the Commonwealth Conference, part of the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) and member of Eastern College Athletic Conference, 9 men’s and 11 women’s intercollegiate sports.
More than 55 student groups, including intramural and intercollegiate sports, academic clubs, honor societies, student government, and faith-based, arts, environmental, and service clubs.
Middle States Commission on Higher Education, American Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), PA State Board of Nursing Approval, PA Department of Education (PDE), Competency and Credentialing Institute.