Alvernia University receives a pair of national honors

0 Zaina July 25, 2025

Alvernia University has recently received a pair of national honors. The university has been named a College of Distinction for the sixth consecutive year, and named to Money Magazine’s 2025 Best Colleges in America list for the third consecutive year.

“These national honors reflect the dedication of our faculty and staff, our innovative spirit and our Franciscan mission to meet students where they are and support them every step of the way,” Dr. Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Alvernia president, said in a statement.

College of Distinction was formed in 2000 to help students and their parents navigate the process of finding the right school, ranking colleges and universities on student engagement, teaching, community and outcomes, according to information on the organization’s website.

In being named a College of Distinction for 2025, Alvernia was recognized for its transformative undergraduate experience and strong outcomes in key areas including equity and inclusion, nursing, education, business, military support and career development, according to a release. The university also earned recognition in the Catholic, Pennsylvania and international categories.

For its annual Best Colleges in America List, Money Magazine evaluates colleges based on graduation rates, cost of attendance, financial aid, alumni salaries and other key metrics to identify top-value institutions, according to the release.

“We are proud to deliver an education that is both practical and transformative-one that prepares graduates to lead with purpose and serve with compassion,” Fitzgerald added. “Being recognized once again by Money Magazine across such a wide range of categories affirms the transformative impact of our student-centered culture of care.”

According to Mary-Alice Ozechoski, Alvernia senior vice president of enrollment management and student affairs, the recent recognitions reflect the work Alvernia does to create a welcoming, empowering and affordable college experience.

“At Alvernia, we take pride in creating an environment where students feel seen, supported and inspired to achieve their goals — from their first campus visit to graduation and beyond,” Ozechoski said in a statement.

The recognition by Colleges of Distinction and Money Magazine follow what Alvernia calls a “year of continued momentum.” The university was named to Carnegie’s 2025 High Access, High Earnings Opportunity Colleges and Universities list and recognized as a national doctoral university by U.S. News and World Report. Alvernia was also named Berks County’s top college/university in the Berks County Living 2025 People’s Choice Awards and Schuylkill County’s leading higher education institution in the Republican Herald 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards.