Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Pennsylvania Western University
Set on a hillside overlooking the Monongahela River, Pennsylvania Western University's California campus blends small-town calm with purposeful energy. It has a reputation for strong teaching across business, education, health fields, the sciences, and the arts, with plenty of hands-on work in labs, studios, and real projects. Students lean on advising, tutoring, and wellness services, and spend time in the library, a busy student center, and a well-equipped recreation complex. Athletics venues, performance spaces, and quiet green corners round out daily life.
Student life is active but welcoming: clubs and service groups, campus media, intramurals, and outdoor time along the riverfront and nearby trails. The culture feels practical and friendly, the kind where faculty know names and projects turn into opportunities. Career preparation runs through coursework, with internships and field experiences tied to regional employers in the broader Pittsburgh area, plus alumni connections across Pennsylvania. The town adds coffee spots and a walkable main street, and the campus is known for spirited homecoming traditions that pull students and neighbors together. And yeah, the river views don't hurt.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) offers 128 degree programs across 25 major academic fields, graduating approximately 3,757 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Education (18 programs, 714 graduates), Health (16 programs, 574 graduates), Business (13 programs, 378 graduates), Kinesiology (6 programs, 310 graduates) and Public Services (2 programs, 266 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Education (18 programs, 714 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education | 141 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
13.1210 |
| General Education | 103 |
|
Master's
|
13.0101 |
| Special Education Teaching | 101 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
13.1001 |
| Secondary Education and Teaching | 93 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1205 |
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 68 |
|
Post-Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
13.0401 |
| School Counseling and Guidance | 59 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
13.1101 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 47 |
|
Master's
|
13.0499 |
| Reading Teacher Education | 46 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13.1315 |
| Middle School Education and Teaching | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1203 |
| Superintendency and Educational Administration | 13 |
|
Post-Master's
|
13.0411 |
| Special Education Teaching | 7 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
13.1099 |
| Special Education Administration | 6 |
|
Post-Master's
|
13.0402 |
| Teaching Individuals with Autism | 6 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.1013 |
| Elementary Education | 3 |
|
Associate's
|
13.1202 |
| Earth Science Teacher Education | 3 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.1337 |
| English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching | 2 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.1401 |
| Kindergarten and Preschool Education | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1209 |
| STEM Education Methods | 1 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.1213 |
Health (16 programs, 574 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 241 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
51.3801 |
| Communication Sciences and Disorders | 71 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0201 |
| Speech-Language Pathology | 69 |
|
Master's
|
51.0203 |
| Mental Health Counseling | 46 |
|
Master's
Other Award
|
51.1508 |
| Nursing Administration | 45 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3802 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting | 28 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0899 |
| Medical Radiologic Technology | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0907 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 12 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0806 |
| Athletic Training | 10 |
|
Master's
|
51.0913 |
| Mental and Social Health Services | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.1599 |
| Substance Abuse Counseling | 8 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
51.1501 |
| Clinical Laboratory Science and Medical Technology | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.1005 |
| Health and Wellness | 4 |
|
Other Award
|
51.0001 |
| Art Therapy | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
Post-Master's
|
51.2301 |
| Clinical Pastoral Counseling | 2 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.1506 |
| Rehabilitation Science | 1 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.2314 |
Business (13 programs, 378 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 209 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting | 54 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52.0301 |
| Finance, General | 38 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
| Marketing Management | 31 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1401 |
| Entrepreneurship Studies | 9 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0701 |
| Business Administration | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0101 |
| Business Communications | 8 |
|
Master's
|
52.0501 |
| Labor and Industrial Relations | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1002 |
| Science and Technology Management | 5 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0216 |
| Operations Management and Supervision | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0205 |
| Business Economics | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
52.0601 |
| Real Estate | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1501 |
| Taxation | 2 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
52.1601 |
Kinesiology (6 programs, 310 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 233 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31.0505 |
| Sport and Fitness Management | 65 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
31.0504 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education Fitness | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0599 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education | 3 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
31.0501 |
| Parks and Recreation Management | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0301 |
| Physical Fitness Technician | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0507 |
Public Services (2 programs, 266 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work | 265 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
44.0701 |
| Public Policy Analysis | 1 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
44.0501 |
Social Sciences (9 programs, 219 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminology | 119 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (P)
|
45.0401 |
| Sociology | 41 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
| Political Science and Government | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Anthropology | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0201 |
| Geography | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0701 |
| Social Sciences | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0101 |
| Social Sciences | 7 |
|
Master's
|
45.9999 |
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0603 |
| Economics | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0601 |
Psychology (6 programs, 165 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental Psychology | 95 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.2799 |
| School Psychology | 32 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
|
42.2805 |
| Social Psychology | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.2707 |
| Educational Psychology | 10 |
|
Master's
|
42.2806 |
| General Psychology | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
| Performance and Sport Psychology | 7 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
42.2815 |
Library Science (1 programs, 161 graduates)
Information Management, Library Systems and Data Organization
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Library and Information Science | 161 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
25.0101 |
Arts (8 programs, 156 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Arts, General | 96 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
50.0702 |
| Art Studies | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0701 |
| Graphic Design | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0409 |
| Theatre Arts | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Music Technology | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0913 |
| Advertising and Commercial Art | 6 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
50.0402 |
| Film and Video Arts | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0699 |
| Art History and Conservation | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0703 |
Liberal Arts (2 programs, 144 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 91 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
24.0101 |
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 53 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
24.0199 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest)
How much does it cost to attend Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest)?
The annual tuition at Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) is $11,388 for in-state students and $16,006 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $29,308 for in-state students and $33,926 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $13,200 (on) / $10,770 (off) and books and supplies $1,240.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Pennsylvania Western University offer?
Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) offers 128 academic programs across 25 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Professional), Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (18 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (16 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (13 programs)
- Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation (6 programs)
- Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services (2 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Pennsylvania Western University?
Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) has an 93.7% acceptance rate and a 27.9% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 6,189
- Students admitted: 5,796
- Students enrolled: 1,617
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Pennsylvania Western University?
Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) provides financial aid to 20% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $7,907 and average loans of $8,381.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $4,948
- State/Local grants: $4,609
- Institutional grants: $3,877
- Federal loans: $5,249
The university supports 1,753 students with grants and 1,245 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Pennsylvania Western University graduates?
Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) graduates earn a median salary of $38,474 after 6 years and $47,295 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $30,587 (25th percentile) to $64,952 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $69,600 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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