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Pennsylvania Western University
California, Pennsylvania · Public university · Training programs available:
Address: 250 University Avenue, California, PA 15419 · Phone: (724) 938-4000 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Pennsylvania Western University is a public trade/career school in California, PA offering medical assistant programs, accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and others.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, graduates of Pennsylvania Western University carry a median debt of $23,725 and earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry; completion rate versus the state average of 66.2% is not reported.
Cost of attendance is not reported for Pennsylvania Western University in federal data; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here, and 38.3% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical assistants | $36,810 | $43,920 | $46,490 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Pennsylvania (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 27 | $32,054 | $39,523 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 14 | $32,054 | $39,523 | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Pennsylvania Western University is a public university located in California, Pennsylvania, in a distant-town setting. The school participates in federal financial aid programs (Title IV), meaning eligible students can use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants to help pay for their education. It holds accreditation from several bodies, including the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and specialized accreditors for physical therapy, audiology, and teacher education. Among its trade-oriented offerings, the campus is most known for medical assistant programs, with 41 completers reported and two programs in that family.
Federal data show a median debt of $23,725 among graduates and median earnings of $47,295 ten years after entry. The completion rate for this campus compared to the state average of 66.2% is not reported for this campus in federal data. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 38.3% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of lower-income students. Undergraduate enrollment is 7,451.
This campus may suit students pursuing medical assistant training within a larger public university setting, though specific program length and schedule details are not reported here. Adult learners and career changers should contact the school directly to confirm scheduling and format fit, since that information isn't part of this dataset. To verify accreditation status and outcomes independently, check the accreditors listed above and review the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard for this school. Prospective students should also confirm current tuition and program details directly with the university before enrolling, since cost figures are not reported for this campus in federal data.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Pennsylvania Western University's trade-oriented offerings center on medical assistant programs, with 41 completers reported in that field. Two programs are counted within this program family.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited. Its accreditors include the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, and specialized bodies for physical therapy and audiology programs.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal aid programs, so eligible students can use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants and federal loans.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The campus-specific completion rate is not reported for this campus in federal data. The state average completion rate is 66.2%, but a direct comparison is not reported.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $23,725, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are $47,295, per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public school, which typically means state-supported tuition rates and public accountability standards, though specific tuition figures aren't reported here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported in the available data; contact the school directly to confirm program duration and schedule.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation status through the listed accreditors, such as the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and review outcomes on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at the school's dedicated page.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
Program length and schedule details aren't reported in this data, so fit for adult career changers can't be confirmed from federal data alone; contact the school to ask about format and flexibility.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing or certification requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school directly to learn what credentials follow completion of its medical assistant programs.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Pennsylvania Western University at (724) 938-4000 or visit its website at https://www.pennwest.edu/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not reported here; you can look up other institutions on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?498571 to compare outcomes.
Nearby trade and career schools in Pennsylvania
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- Community College of Allegheny CountyPittsburgh, PA · 24% completion
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- Pennsylvania College of TechnologyWilliamsport, PA · college
See all trade and career schools in Pennsylvania or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.