Students at Pacific Union College achieve notably strong long-term earnings that place the institution among the top quarter of colleges nationwide for financial outcomes.
The college particularly excels at supporting low-income students, who earn significantly more than similar students at other institutions.
Pacific Union College ranks among the stronger small private colleges nationwide for long-term student outcomes, particularly in earnings performance where it sits in the 73rd percentile nationally. This Seventh-day Adventist institution in California's Napa Valley combines the intimate scale of a small liberal arts college with surprisingly robust financial returns for graduates. With about one-third of students receiving Pell Grants and over 25% being first-generation college students, PUC maintains meaningful access while delivering strong economic mobility.
What sets Pacific Union College apart is its ability to help students from diverse economic backgrounds achieve substantial long-term earnings. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $70,484, with the college's nursing and health science programs driving particularly strong outcomes. The institution's designation as a "Mobility Engine" reflects how effectively it converts access into upward economic movement, especially for low-income students who earn significantly more than peers at similar institutions.
As a small Christian college with fewer than 1,000 students, PUC offers the personalized attention and faith-integrated education that many families seek, while also delivering the practical career preparation that leads to solid financial security. For students who thrive in close-knit academic communities and value both spiritual development and professional preparation, Pacific Union College represents a compelling combination of mission-driven education and strong economic outcomes.
Pacific Union College's academic portfolio, while compact, demonstrates clear strengths in health sciences that drive the institution's strong financial outcomes. The Adult Health Nursing program stands out as both academically rigorous and financially rewarding, with 39 graduates earning a median of $92,410 ten years after completion. This represents one of the highest-return programs at the college and reflects the strong demand for qualified nurses in California's healthcare market.
Business/Commerce represents the college's largest program by enrollment with 22 graduates, though earnings outcomes are more variable at $31,839 in early career. This pattern is typical for general business programs, where career trajectories depend heavily on individual specialization, geographic location, and industry choice. The program serves students seeking broad business preparation, though those focused on maximizing earnings potential may find stronger returns in the college's health science offerings.
The concentration of high-return outcomes in nursing and health-related fields reflects Pacific Union College's strategic focus on programs with clear career pathways and strong employment demand. As a small institution, PUC appears to have identified its competitive advantages in health sciences, where the combination of rigorous academic preparation, clinical training opportunities, and strong industry connections creates exceptional value for graduates entering these high-demand professions.
Pacific Union College delivers strong long-term financial outcomes for graduates, with median earnings of $70,484 ten years after enrollment. This performance places the college in the 73rd percentile nationally for earnings, reflecting the institution's effectiveness in preparing students for well-paying careers. Graduates also earn about $2,190 more than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating the college's ability to add meaningful value beyond what would be expected based on student characteristics and institutional profile.
The college's strongest financial returns come from its health science programs, particularly nursing. Adult Health Nursing graduates, representing the largest high-return program with 39 graduates, earn a median of $92,410 ten years out, placing them among the highest-earning graduates from the institution. Business/Commerce represents the college's largest program by enrollment with 22 graduates, though earnings in this field are more modest at $31,839, reflecting the varied career paths and geographic dispersion typical of general business degrees.
Pacific Union College's program portfolio, while small in scale, demonstrates clear strengths in health-related fields that consistently lead to strong career outcomes. The concentration in nursing and health sciences helps explain the college's above-average earnings performance, as these fields offer both job security and competitive compensation in California's robust healthcare market.
Pacific Union College maintains relatively accessible pricing for a private institution, though costs vary significantly by family income level. Low-income students pay an average net price of $14,903 annually, which is competitive for a private college and reflects the institution's commitment to serving Pell-eligible students. Middle-income families face higher costs at $18,211 per year, while high-income families pay $25,182 annually, representing the full range of the college's pricing structure.
The college's affordability profile sits in the 41st percentile nationally, indicating average affordability compared with similar institutions. While not the most affordable option, PUC's pricing remains reasonable for a private college, especially considering the strong long-term earnings outcomes graduates achieve. The institution's financial aid approach appears designed to make attendance feasible for students from diverse economic backgrounds, with meaningful support for those with the greatest financial need.
For families considering Pacific Union College, the key affordability consideration is balancing the moderate upfront costs against the strong career outcomes, particularly in high-return fields like nursing. The college's track record of helping students achieve solid earnings suggests that the investment can pay off substantially over time, especially for students who pursue the institution's strongest academic programs.
Pacific Union College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
