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 15 years in a row. Alverno was also recognized for its 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

Fifty-six percent of undergraduate students come from the city of Milwaukee.

Southeastern Wisconsin counties:* 85%

Other Wisconsin counties: 4% 

Out of state: 10%

International:** <1%

* Includes Milwaukee, Kenosha, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha    **Includes: Canada and Kenya

Sixty-five percent of incoming undergraduate students are first-generation college students.

Student Profile

Alverno Student Demographics. White: 34%. Hispanic or Latinx: 29%. Black or African American: 20%. Asian: 5%. Two or more races: 4%. US Nonresident: 4%

Brain Gain

Alverno graduates apply their knowledge and skills to the local workforce, with 65% 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