California University of Pennsylvania (Cal U) is a private, liberal arts and professional studies university located 35 miles south of Pittsburgh on the banks of the Monongahela River. The scenic campus spans 294 acres in the borough of California.
| Overall Score (about) | 80.4 |
| Total Cost On-Campus Attendance | $26,644 |
| Admission Success rate | N/A |
| ACT / SAT 75%ile scores | 23 / 1100 |
| Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty | 18 : 1 |
| Retention (full-time / part-time) | 71% / 25% |
| Enrollment Total (all students) | 7,310 |
Cal U is home to more than130 undergraduate programs in a wide variety of fields. The department of Education and Human Services is one of the most popular among students, and offers programs for specialities such as Chemistry for Secondary Schools, Technology Education, and Communication Disorders. The sciences are strong as well, with fields of study such as Biology-Mortuary Science, Chemistry-Nanofabrication Manufacturing, and Fisheries and Wildlife.
Graduate programs offer master’s degrees, mostly in science and education fields. Some available programs include Principal’s Program, Exercise Science and Health Promotion, and School Psychology. Many master’s programs are available entirely online, including Advanced Studies in Secondary Education, Homeland Security, and Sport Management.
Continuing Education programs are offered to working adults in a variety of life and work circumstances. Visiting students from other universities may attend without going through the full admission process, then transfer credits back to their school of record. The 60+ College Advantage Program (CAP) allows Pennsylvania residents aged 60 and up to take college classes tuition free. Classes taken in the CAP program may be counted toward a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Admissions are competitive. Prospective students must submit:
Optional but helpful submissions include letters of recommendation and a personal essay.
Some programs of study have further requirements for admission. Applicants to the Commercial Music Technology Program must audition for admission. Applicants to the Nursing and Education programs will be held to a higher academic standard than many other programs or students seeking general admission. Refer to the official college website for details.
The student body includes a mix of commuters and residential students. The college offers six residence halls. All residences offer suites with semi-private bathrooms. In addition, the residences all feature lounges with large-screen televisions and full kitchens. In addition to a traditional dining hall, the campus features a number of fast food and restaurant outlets.
There are more than a 100 clubs and activities on campus, offering meaningful extracurricular activities for a diverse spectrum of interests.
The athletic department fields teams in a number of NCAA Division II sports, including:
All athletic teams are known as the Vulcans. Yes, there are lots of Spock jokes. In addition, there is a strong intramural program for recreational athletes.
.The university is a short drive away from Fallingwater. one of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s most famous creations and a must-see for all students.
The campus itself is situated in the rolling hills of the Appalachian Plateau, a hot spot for backpacking, camping, skiing, canoeing, whitewater rafting, and any number of other outdoors activities.
For more urban types, the campus is only 35 miles away from Pittsburgh and public transportation is easily accessible. The city of Pittsburgh is known for its many museums and for world-class symphonies, ballets, operas, and cultural centers. For sports fans, Pittsburgh is home to the Pirates, the Steelers, and the Penguins.
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