Alverno at a Glance
Alverno College is a four-year, liberal arts, independent, Catholic college for women sponsored by the School Sisters of St. Francis.
Notables
U.S. News & World Report ranked Alverno College highest in the state in its “Strong Commitment to Teaching” category, the only Wisconsin college ranked in this category 16 years in a row. Alverno was also recognized for its innovation and social mobility, which measures how well schools graduate students who receive Pell grants.
In 2017, Alverno College became Wisconsin’s first Hispanic-Serving Institution, a national designation that provides access to federal grants and scholarships to not-for-profit institutions of higher learning that serve a significant population of Hispanic students. The designation aligns with Alverno’s mission of and commitment to educating a diverse population of undergraduate women, integral to the College’s success.
Geographic Draw
Sixty-one percent of undergraduate students come from the city of Milwaukee.
Southeastern Wisconsin counties:* 87%
Other Wisconsin counties: 4%
Out of state: 8%
International:** 1%
* Includes Milwaukee, Kenosha, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha
**Includes: Canada, Cameroon, Kenya, Jordan, Vietnam
Seventy percent of incoming undergraduate students are first-generation college students.
Student Profile
Entire student body
Hispanic or Latinx: 32%
White: 29%
Black or African American: 19%
Asian: 6%
U.S. Nonresident: 6%
Two or more races: 4%
The remaining 4% are another race or unknown.
Brain Gain
Alverno graduates apply their knowledge and skills to the local workforce, with 61% of them living and working in Wisconsin.
Alverno's 8 Abilities
The 8 Abilities are the foundation of the Alverno experience. Students practice these essential skills throughout their educational journey, working toward mastery. Ultimately, the 8 Abilities are what give our students the power to stand apart from the crowd. The 8 Abilities are:
- Aesthetic Engagement
- Analysis
- Communication
- Developing a Global
- Perspective
- Effective Citizenship
- Problem Solving
- Social Interaction
- Valuing in Decision Making
