
Cresson, PAprivate nonprofitwww.mtaloy.edu/
Mount Aloysius College, a small Catholic liberal arts school in rural Pennsylvania, punches above its weight with an intimate 7:1 student-faculty ratio and a pragmatic focus on nursing, business, and healthcare fields. With an 82% acceptance rate and a scrappy, outdoorsy campus culture, it’s a place where first-gen students and career-focused learners thrive—even if its 56% graduation rate lags behind national averages.
Mount Aloysius is decidedly not a selective school, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering between 82% (per U.S. News) and 90.4% (per PrepScholar). The college operates on a rolling admissions basis, with no strict deadline, and doesn’t require SAT/ACT scores if they’re more than two years old. Middle 50% ACT scores range from 15–24, suggesting a broad academic preparedness spectrum among admitted students. Contact info for admissions questions is refreshingly straightforward: `[email protected]` or (814) 886-4131.
The college’s 7:1 student-faculty ratio (U.S. News) ensures small classes—71% have fewer than 20 students. Nursing dominates as the most popular major, followed by Business Administration and Health Professions. With 32 majors total (per College Board), offerings skew practical: think Criminal Justice, Radiologic Technology, and Cybersecurity alongside traditional liberal arts. The graduation rate is a modest 49-56% depending on the source, though the college emphasizes personalized support through its Mercy-centered mission.
Life here is unapologetically small-town: think hiking in the Alleghenies (the campus is a 15-minute drive from outdoor recreation) and tight-knit dorm communities (44% of students live on campus). The Catholic identity looms large—Niche notes an emphasis on 'mercy, respect, and acceptance'—but without rigid piety. Sports (NCAA Division III) and student-led activities fill the social calendar. One student’s testimonial on the campus newspaper’s blog captures the vibe: 'It’s been the stage of my life where I’ve grown the most.'
The 56% graduation rate (per College Scorecard) trails national averages, but the college serves a high proportion of First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. and Pell-eligible students (40% graduation rate for Pell recipients vs. 57% for non-recipients). Alumni earn a median $36,427 one year post-graduation (Niche)—respectable for rural Pennsylvania, though not transformative. Nursing grads likely pull these numbers up; the college doesn’t publish major-specific earnings data.
Sticker price hits $41,560 for tuition and fees (CollegeData), but 99% of students receive aid, bringing the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. down to $20,570 (College Board). First-years typically get $19,719 in need-based grants (U.S. News). The college sweetens the deal with quirky incentives like a $1,000 scholarship raffle for students who submit FAFSA by April 1. Still, the average aid package ($16,249) leaves many with significant gaps to fill.
Mount Aloysius is the underdog’s launchpad: a no-frills, high-touch college where nursing students train on simulation mannequins just miles from trout streams and hiking trails. Its Mercy Catholic ethos fosters a ‘come as you are’ community (Niche), while its tiny classes guarantee professors know your name. For Pennsylvania kids seeking affordable career preparation without the chaos of a big school—and who don’t mind trading urban excitement for fire pits and Friday night basketball games—it’s a compelling pick.