Pennsylvania Western University
- Graduation Rate
- 51% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $47,295 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $18,256 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 94% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 16.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.8 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $16.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,154,119.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Every $1 invested returns $16.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Pennsylvania Western University
Pennsylvania Western University is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 7,451
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Education, Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Pennsylvania Western University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 94% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 940–1140. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $18,256 a year after grants and scholarships — 7% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $47,295 ten years after enrolling — 16% above the typical college, against $23,725 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 94%, Pennsylvania Western University in California, PA, is a welcoming choice for many students. It suits those who are looking for a supportive environment, particularly in popular fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, Social Sciences, and Humanities. Students here can expect a community-focused atmosphere that encourages exploration and growth in their chosen disciplines.
After graduation, students can anticipate a solid earning potential, with a median income of $47,295 after ten years. This gives a glimpse into the financial landscape, suggesting that graduates can achieve stability and success in their careers. The affordability factor is also noteworthy; about 38% of students receive Pell Grants, which can help ease the financial burden and make education more accessible.
Looking at the practical side, the net price after aid stands at $18,256, while the median debt for graduates is $23,725. This means that, while there's some debt, many students find ways to manage it effectively. Those who thrive here often appreciate the community feel and the diverse academic offerings, making it a suitable choice for individuals aiming for both a supportive environment and a solid foundation for their careers.
Rankings
- #14 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Pennsylvania
- #14 Best Online Education Programs in Pennsylvania
- #14 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Pennsylvania
- #16 Best Online Business Programs in Pennsylvania
- #16 Best Online Nursing Programs in Pennsylvania
- #43 Most Affordable Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #46 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Pennsylvania
Can I Get In?
How selective Pennsylvania Western University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Pennsylvania Western University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in California, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Western University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 94%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,063. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 94%
- Retention Rate
- 72%
- SAT Average
- 1063
- SAT Range
- 940–1140
- ACT Range
- 17–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 81%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,870
- Diversity Index
- 0.48
- First-Gen Students
- 37%
- Applicants
- 8,463
- Admitted
- 7,923
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pennsylvania Western University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Pennsylvania Western University is $16,054, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,256. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,944 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,725 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $11,436
- Out-of-State
- $16,054
- Avg Net Price
- $18,256
- Median Debt
- $23,725
- Pell Grant Rate
- 38%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 60%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,944
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,171
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,517
- Family Income $110K+
- $23,272
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Pennsylvania Western University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Pennsylvania Western University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $47,295, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $38,474
- 8 Years
- $43,589
- 10 Years
- $47,295
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.5x
- Earning > $25K
- 64%
Earnings Trajectory
How Pennsylvania Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Pennsylvania Western University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Pennsylvania Western University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,256/year ($73,024 total). Graduates earn $47,295 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,227,143 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,154,119 (16.8× your investment). The median debt is $23,725, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 51% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $73,024
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,227,143
- Net Return
- $1,154,119
- ROI Multiple
- 16.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $18,256
- Median Debt
- $23,725
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Top Programs
The fields Pennsylvania Western University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 18% $75,334 early-career
- Education 13% $33,894 early-career
- Business & Marketing 10% $44,638 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 9% $35,917 early-career
- Psychology 6% $34,080 early-career
- Criminal Justice 5% $39,643 early-career
- Humanities 5% $34,948 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4% $66,174 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Pennsylvania Western University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Pennsylvania Western University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in California, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Western University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 94%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,063. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pennsylvania Western University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Pennsylvania Western University is $16,054, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,256. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,944 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,725 in federal student loans.
Is Pennsylvania Western University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $47,295, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Pennsylvania Western University.
- University of Central ArkansasConway, AR · Close peer53% grad $45,938 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of MaineOrono, ME · Close peer56% grad $48,653 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The University of MontanaMissoula, MT · Close peer47% grad $44,511 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- West Texas A & M UniversityCanyon, TX · Close peer51% grad $50,741 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Indiana University of PennsylvaniaIndiana, PA · Close peer54% grad $51,019 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Stephen F Austin State UniversityNacogdoches, TX · Close peer53% grad $49,634 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
