Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Pennsylvania Western University #596 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $54,553, placing Pennsylvania Western University in the 19.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Pennsylvania Western University #284 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Pennsylvania Western University is a public master's university in California, Pennsylvania, enrolling roughly 7,451 undergraduates. Retention stands at 71.7% and the six-year graduation rate is 51.9%, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. Azimuth ranks Pennsylvania Western University #596 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. The composite is anchored in return on investment. Azimuth ranks Pennsylvania Western University #1121 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $5,064 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Pennsylvania Western University in the 36.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access and affordability shape the remaining pillars of the composite. Pennsylvania Western University serves 38.3% Pell-eligible students and 37.3% first-generation undergraduates, positioning the institution in the 67.6 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions. Affordability sits in the 61.7 percentile, reflecting the public tuition structure and aid availability typical of regional master's universities. The institution's dominant program family is Health, which aligns with regional workforce demand and contributes to the strong return-on-investment positioning. Mobility outcomes place Pennsylvania Western University in the 80.9 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions, underscoring the institution's role in supporting graduates into sustainable career pathways.
Pennsylvania Western University's published cost of attendance is $26,916. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation across the income spectrum: low-income families pay approximately $13,944, middle-income families pay around $16,517, and higher-income families pay approximately $23,272. Azimuth ranks Pennsylvania Western University #547 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Pennsylvania Western's affordability position reflects the institution's public tuition structure and need-based aid reach. The university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs, and need-based aid covers a meaningful share of cost for many students. The gap between published sticker price and actual net price can be substantial, particularly for low-income families — understanding net price versus sticker price is essential when comparing institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,725, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,794; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $54,553, median federal debt of $23,725 projects to a monthly payment of about $268 under standard ten-year repayment. Families should weigh any Parent PLUS obligations against need-based aid and non-loan financing alternatives before borrowing. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Pennsylvania Western University is a strong fit for students interested in health fields who want a public university experience in PA. The university's program mix is concentrated in Health, representing 13% of graduates. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $54,553, placing Pennsylvania Western University in the 19.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $5,064 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 36.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The aid structure supports broad access - 38.3% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 37.3% are first-generation students. Published cost of attendance is $23,272, with median federal debt at graduation of $23,725. Fit depends on program alignment - students interested in Health and related applied fields will find the strongest outcomes at this regional public university.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Pennsylvania Western University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fort Valley State University Similar quality tier (#15788 ranked) | GA | 66% | $36,666 | #15788 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Similar quality tier (#15781 ranked) | WI | 87% | $55,548 | #15781 | Compare |
Murray State University Similar quality tier (#15796 ranked) | KY | 86% | $44,737 | #15796 | Compare |
Winona State University Similar quality tier (#15773 ranked) | MN | 75% | $58,532 | #15773 | Compare |
Nicholls State University Similar quality tier (#15765 ranked) | LA | 91% | $45,454 | #15765 | Compare |
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
26 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
273 graduates
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians
18 graduates
Computer and Information Sciences, General
90 graduates
Systems Science and Theory
11 graduates
Pennsylvania Western University's program mix is anchored in health professions and applied fields aligned with regional workforce demand. Nursing is the largest program with 273 graduates, followed by General Studies, Business Administration, Kinesiology, and Teacher Education.
Across 55 programs serving roughly 2,356 students annually, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold. The institution's earnings profile reflects strength in applied health and professional fields.
Nursing leads with median earnings of $82,099 four years after enrollment, followed by Artificial Intelligence at $73,164, Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at $56,316, Business Administration at $55,515, and Biology, General at $53,619. The concentration in Health — representing 13% of graduates — reflects the university's positioning as a regional institution serving students into stable, in-demand healthcare and professional roles.
These programs are predominantly direct-to-workforce pathways where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes in nursing, allied health, business administration, and related applied fields. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with regional and national workforce needs in healthcare and professional services.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Pennsylvania Western University's published cost of attendance is $26,916. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation across the income spectrum: low-income families pay approximately $13,944, middle-income families pay around $16,517, and higher-income families pay approximately $23,272.
Azimuth ranks Pennsylvania Western University #547 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Pennsylvania Western's affordability position reflects the institution's public tuition structure and need-based aid reach. The university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs, and need-based aid covers a meaningful share of cost for many students.
The gap between published sticker price and actual net price can be substantial, particularly for low-income families — understanding [net price versus sticker price](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) is essential when comparing institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,725, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,794; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures.
For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $54,553, median federal debt of $23,725 projects to a monthly payment of about $268 under standard ten-year repayment. Families should weigh any Parent PLUS obligations against need-based aid and non-loan financing alternatives before borrowing.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including [Parent PLUS planning](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Pennsylvania Western University earn median 4-year earnings of $54,553, placing the institution in the 19.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $5,064 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Pennsylvania Western University in the 36.3 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Pennsylvania Western University #1121 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Pennsylvania Western University's concentration in health-related fields.
Nursing is the largest program with 273 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $82,099, performing at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. The General Studies program graduates 220 students earning $44,180, and the The Business Administration program graduates 169 students earning $55,515.
These programs anchor the institution's earnings profile, with Nursing combining substantial enrollment scale with solid four-year earnings outcomes.
