Education Reimagined
Pennsylvania Western University combined the resources and traditions of three top universities into one, which means:
More expert faculty
Greater opportunity for mentorship, collaboration and growth
A chance to meet lifelong friends at California, Clarion and Edinboro College experiences you can’t get anywhere else
PennWest. Reimagined with your future in
mind.
The Power of PennWest
We’ve taken a modern approach to education.
PennWest gives you access to combined resources, in-demand programs, expert professors and hands-on adventures that you won’t get anywhere else. Your education fits into campus traditions and extracurricular activities that reinforce not only your learning, but who you are as a person. And it creates one amazing college experience!
100+ Academic Programs
204,000+ Alumni
300+ Clubs and Organizations
10,800+
Total Enrollment
Academics
Getting the classes you need won’t be a problem here.
Before you arrive on campus, your schedule will be prepared for you which ensures you get the best start. You’ll have mostly traditional face-to-face classes in your first year, which will help you get to know your chosen campus and other students, who will share in this unique college experience.
Our more than 100 programs are housed in three colleges including the College of Education, Arts and Humanities; the College of Health Sciences and Human Services; and the College of Science, Technology and Business.
As a first-year student, your classes will be predominately delivered in-person. However, you may have some online classes. As you continue your college career, you’ll be able to schedule classes that suit your requirements, needs and schedule.
We deliver our courses in three ways:
An In-Person degree emphasizes traditional courses at one or more of our locations.
Why so many options?
Options allow you to shape your education according to your schedule and needs. They also allow you to take advantage of all PennWest has to offer.
A Blended degree combines traditional in-person courses with flexible, online educational experiences.
An Online degree is offered 100% online.
You are no longer defined by one campus. You now have an entire network of faculty and staff at your disposal.
Supporting You
Choosing Pennsylvania Western University means individualized guidance in each stage of your academic career.
PennWest provides a good balance of comfort and challenge that will prepare you for tomorrow. It also will feel like home.
From the beginning, we have professionals who will help you get a jump on your college experience.
Your success coach will help you get off to a great start in your classes, and then will be there to support you throughout your college career.
We also understand that college life can be stressful and we’re here to help you through life’s ups and downs. Each campus has a counseling/health center geared to keeping your mental health and overall wellness on track:
California
PennWest.edu/california-health
Clarion
PennWest.edu/clarion-health
Edinboro
PennWest/edinboro-health
You can rest well on our campuses that are protected by an accredited police department with notification systems to keep you informed.
At PennWest, we have an entire support system to make sure you get the best possible college experience –whatever your path. We’re dedicated to community safety by providing our students with all of the resources they need to feel right and right at home.
Careers and Internships
At PennWest, we do more than just prepare you for a career. We help you get your foot in the door.
From Day 1, each student is paired with a Career Coach who is dedicated to getting you where you want to be.
We’ll prepare you to be career ready. At PennWest, you’ll:
• Explore majors and careers.
• Prep for interviews.
• Learn how to search for and apply for internships and jobs.
• Gear up for graduate school.
We also connect you to networking opportunities with more than 204,000 alumni.
And our research shows, these efforts are paying off.
Our graduates consistently land impressive jobs in their fields or continue their education in distinguished graduate programs.
Of our surveyed graduates, 94% of them are employed or continuing education within six months after graduation. Not only are they employed, but of those graduates, 90% of them are working in their chosen field.
That’s solid proof that a PennWest education gets you where you want to go.
Out of the Classroom
Learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom.
We believe the best way to learn is through action and immersion. Professors create classes to prepare you for jobs in the real world. That’s why so many of our programs are built around lab work, field research, externships and work experiences.
The Experiential Learning Center supports this mission by helping students explore and connect with opportunities to apply classroom learning through internships and other professional development experiences.
We have 24/7 access to digital resources and technology linking you to more than 500,000 job and internship opportunities from companies, nonprofits and government organizations.
Our students secure internships at some prestigious places. You’ll recognize many of the names on this list:
• Allegheny Health Network
• Amazon
• Baltimore Ravens
• Bayer Corp.
• Buffalo Bills
• Busch Gardens
• Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
• Center for Arabic Culture
• Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
• Department of Defense
• Department of Environmental Protection
• Drug Enforcement Administration
• Edgar Snyder & Associates
• Erie Art Museum
• Erie Insurance
• General Electric
• Giant Eagle
• Highmark Health
• JetTV
• Kennywood
• Kohl’s
• Lehigh Valley Health Network
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources
• MoreFrames Animation
• Municap Public Financing
• National Security Agency (NSA)
• Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)
• Oil Region Alliance
• Pittsburgh Penguins
• Pittsburgh Pirates
• Pittsburgh Steelers
• Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
• PNC Bank (Corporate)
• Rosapenna Golf and Hotel Resort
• The Walt Disney Co.
• Travel Centers of America
• UPMC, UPMC Children’s Hospital
• U.S. Department of Defense
• U.S. Department of Justice
• U.S. Department of State
• USPS
• U.S. Steel
• Wild World of Animals
• WMBS Radio
• WVU Medicine
• YMCA
In addition to internship opportunities, our students can join any of our 300+ clubs and organizations to hone their professional skills and have fun while they’re at it. You’ll develop skills and gain experience that can help you land a job after graduation. Becoming involved helps you meet new people, develop community and discover your strengths and passions.
If you wish for a more formal study abroad option, we have those opportunities throughout the world with short-term (two to 10 weeks), semester, or full academic year experiences. Learn more at PennWest.edu/ academics/study-abroad.
All of these opportunities mean the world is now your classroom.
PennWest California is located just 35 miles from Pittsburgh, on a beautiful riverside campus that includes top recreation facilities, best-in-class housing options, green space and modern science spaces that accommodate our high-tech majors like mechatronics engineering technology and our vet tech programs.
Each spring, Student Government sponsors The Big Event so students can show their appreciation to the California community with a day of service. The program provides local residents with help washing windows, painting and completing other needed work.
Homecoming is a weeklong student celebration including student events such as BINGO, homecoming court festivities, Silent Disco, parade preparations, and more. All leading up to a weekend full of events for students, community members and alumni to celebrate California!
Cal’s mascot, Blaze the Vulcan, embodies Cal pride. He loves football season when he hits our steel beam with his hammer in celebration of every point scored.
Not only is Blaze the biggest Vulcan sports fan, he’s also present at all other types of Cal events throughout the year.
Enjoy all that Cal has to offer while living in our oncampus residence halls. Learn more about your options at PennWest.edu/california-housing. Additional questions can be directed to calreslife@pennwest.edu or by calling 724-938-4444.
PennWest Clarion is close to Cook Forest but also conveniently located in Clarion’s charming college town with its cozy Main Street atmosphere. The stunning campus features state-of-the-art learning facilities like our nursing simulation laboratory and our hands-on communication studios for TV, radio and print media experience.
Our most popular event, by far, is homecoming, which coincides with the town’s nine-day Autumn Leaf Festival. Homecoming events include a parade and, of course, the big game. Students, alumni and the entire town get in on the fun.
PennWest Clarion also has a location in Somerset County. Somerset offers the two-year Associate of Science in Nursing, which fully prepares students to sit for the RN licensure exam.
One of the biggest traditions of being a Clarion student is simply enjoying the campus’ proximity to downtown amenities and outdoor activities. With a bustling main street featuring shops and restaurants, the community embraces our students. There’s also a hiking trail that begins on campus and a popular swimming location just a short drive away to the Toby Bridge on the Clarion River.
Ernie the Eagle is Clarion’s Golden Eagle mascot, who hatched in 1979. He’s had many makeovers throughout the years to become the buff specimen you see today. You can see him strutting his stuff all over campus and at Clarion sporting events as he prides himself on being the biggest Golden Eagles sports fan.
Live, laugh and let loose in one of our many suite style room options. Learn more about your options at PennWest.edu/clarion-housing. Additional questions can be directed to clarionreslife@pennwest.edu or by calling 814-393-2352.
PennWest Edinboro is situated just south of Erie, in a bustling college town. The picturesque lakeside campus offers modern learning facilities, suitestyle housing options and incredible outdoor recreation opportunities for every season.
Much like the town, some of The Boro’s most popular majors are focused on the arts like animation, illustration, drawing and painting.
Held during Welcome Weekend, Boro Bash is the perfect opportunity to meet your classmates, make new friends and have some fun before the start of the fall semester. The celebration features music, food, games and more.
The good times continue as each fall, The Boro’s campus is filled with the colorful traditions of Scotland during the Highland Games & Scottish Festival. Featuring world-class musicians, highland dance performances, athletic competitions and traditional Scottish food, the festival serves as a tribute to the Scottish heritage of the Edinboro campus and surrounding community.
We ARE the Fighting Scots. Clad with a Royal Stewart Tartan kilt and headband, steadfast shield and leather wrist guards and boots, our mascot, MacCato, is the embodiment of our tenacious spirit and abounding campus pride.
Embrace all the charm The Boro has to offer in one of our many room style options. Learn more about your options at PennWest.edu/edinboro-housing. Additional questions can be directed to bororeslife@pennwest.edu or by calling 814-732-2818.
Athletics
Ready to wear a varsity uniform?
Want intramural bragging rights?
Or are you just looking to stay active and healthy?
Each of our campuses offers competitive opportunities and state-of-the-art, open-to-all athletics facilities.
Between our three campuses we have:
• 53 varsity athletic teams
• 49 intramural programs
• 24 club teams
• Indoor running tracks
• Climbing walls
• Indoor pools
• Miles of trails for hiking, biking and more!
Each campus has many other unique features to help you stay active. So, no matter your speed, we have what you need to keep you in the game.
Cheer on our athletic teams and student-athletes who have had recent stand-out performances. Some highlights include:
California
The California football team advanced to the Super Region One Championship of the NCAA Playoffs in 2024 after finishing PSAC West play undefeated for only the fifth time in 60-plus years.
The Vulcans have been represented at the NCAA Cross Country National Championships 10 times over the last 16 years.
Clarion
In 2024-25, 56 percent of Golden Eagles student athletes earned Clarion Scholar Athlete honors, including three PSAC Top 10 honorees including Cassidy Snider, David Bocci and Luna Castellanos.
Cassidy Snider is the most decorated player in the history of the Golden Eagles volleyball team winning the PSAC West Athlete of the Year for two straight years and finishing her career as a unanimous All-American pick for the second year.
Edinboro
Women’s basketball won the PSAC West Regular Season Championship and the Fighting Scots hosted both the PSAC and Atlantic Regional Championships.
Men’s tennis won their fifth straight PSAC Championship and with a win in the NCAA Atlantic Regional advanced to the NCAA Championships for the third time in four years.
calvulcans.com clariongoldeneagles.com gofightingscots.com
California NCAA Intercollegiate Athletic Programs
MEN’S
Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Soccer
Track & Field
(Indoor and Outdoor)
WOMEN’S
Basketball
Cross Country
Flag Football
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor)
Volleyball
Clarion NCAA Intercollegiate Athletic Programs
MEN’S
Baseball
Basketball
Football
Golf
Swimming & Diving
Wrestling (Division I)
WOMEN’S
Basketball
Cross Country
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Swimming & Diving
Tennis
Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor)
Volleyball
Edinboro NCAA Intercollegiate Athletic Programs
MEN’S
Basketball
Cross Country
Football
Swimming
Tennis
Track & Field
Wrestling (Division I)
WOMEN’S
Basketball
Cross Country
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track & Field
(Indoor and Outdoor)
Volleyball
Wrestling
COED
eSports
(ECAC and NECC)
Wheelchair
Basketball
California, Clarion and Edinboro Intercollegiate Athletics compete in NCAA Division II unless noted.
Financial Aid
Investing in a college education is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make. That’s why at PennWest, we’re dedicated to making sure you get a good return on that investment. And a degree still makes good sense.
• 98% of new jobs go to degree holders; 72 percent of those individuals have a bachelor’s degree (CNN Business).
• 134% higher earnings than non-bachelor’s degree holders (Lumina Foundation).
• 72% more likely to have a retirement plan (Lumina Foundation).
• 47% more likely to have health insurance (Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities).
The best news of all? It’s reported that 94% of people with a bachelor’s degree are happier with their lives (Pew Research Center survey).
More good news?
Our Financial Aid team is here to help make your educational goals a reality. Our counselors explore every avenue of student funding including scholarships, grants, loans and student employment to ensure you have the most comprehensive aid package possible.
Your eligibility for scholarships will be determined by filling out one scholarship application when you officially become a student.
Each year, we award $19 million in scholarships to our students.
Your eligibility for grants and loans will be determined when you file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (commonly known as the FAFSA).
Campus student employment opportunities also are available.
Our students tend to find employment opportunities in the shops, businesses and restaurants near their chosen campus.
We know how hard you work to pay for college; that’s why we work just as hard to make it affordable and worthwhile.
Apply
We’ve made applying to PennWest easy.
Decisions are based on a combination of:
• Official high school transcripts.
• SAT/ACT scores (optional)*.
• Recommendations (optional)*.
Apply your way at PennWest.edu/apply or CommonApp.org.
We operate under rolling admissions, which means you can apply on your own schedule. Once your application is complete, you’ll quickly receive a decision on your admission.
SCAN TO APPLY
*Required for select programs.
PennWest.edu/apply
have questions? Our Admissions team is here to help.
Feel free to reach out any time at admissions@pennwest.edu or visit PennWest.edu/admissions.
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