Mansfield University is a four-year public liberal arts school in northern Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1857 as Mansfield Classical Seminary, a small school in a rural landscape. Today, it has grown to serve more than 3,000 students and offers courses in the arts, science, and professional programs.
| Overall Score (about) | 79.0 |
| Total Cost On-Campus Attendance | $29,062 |
| Admission Success rate | N/A |
| ACT / SAT 75%ile scores | 23 / 1130 |
| Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty | 15 : 1 |
| Retention (full-time / part-time) | 71% / N/A |
| Enrollment Total (all students) | 1,629 |
Mansfield offers over 60 different degree programs and majors. Students can earn degrees in topics ranging from cell and molecular biology to early childhood education to business administration. Courses are offered both on campus and online through a special digital interface. Students may also earn credit for AP courses or IB courses taken in high school.
Graduate students at Mansfield can choose from seven degree programs in education, music, nursing, organizational leadership, and school library and information technologies. Graduate students can also earn a teacher certificate or pursue non-degree courses at the graduate level. Though most of these programs are taught in the classroom, three (Nursing, Organizational Leadership, and School Library and Information Technologies) are offered online. The School of Graduate Studies has fewer than 500 students, so each member has the opportunity to make close personal connections and really interact with professors.
There are many students at Mansfield who are not interested or able to pursue a baccalaureate degree when they first enroll. Some of these students are still in high school and wish to take interesting or challenging college courses before they have earned a high school diploma. The College Bound Program lets these students enroll in specific courses on the University’s campus after being recommended by a guidance counselor and filling out an application form. Senior citizens may also be interested in learning new skills or taking courses in interesting areas, either for credit or as an audited class. Senior citizens who are receiving Social Security retirement and are at least 62 years of age can complete a tuition waiver and be admitted to classes tuition-free.
Finally, there are many students pursuing a certificate program rather than a degree. Certificates of recognition demonstrate skill in particular areas and can help students advance their careers in a flexible and cost-effective way. Students in certificate programs also earn academic credits for any classes that they take, which can later be applied to a degree program if desired. Current certificate offerings include accounting, art history, business administration, computer science, and forensic science.
Mansfield has a strong online degree program that offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as a high school program and career training programs. Students can take classes on a part-time basis, with possibilities for full-time enrollment depending on course availability.
The Career Training program is designed to teach students in-demand job skills that will help them advance their careers while staying affordable and flexible. Students will have the opportunity to interact with instructors and mentors, receive feedback and evaluations, and complete activities and assignments on their own time. Career training courses do not award credit. Current available options for career training include Business and Professional, IT and Software Development, Management and Corporate, Media and Design, Hospitality and Service Industry, and Skilled Trades and Industrial. There is also an online program specifically for high school students and a course in sustainability and going green.
Mansfield University accepts students who are interested in pursuing higher education and who meet the college’s standards for admission. The admissions requirements for a general undergraduate entry are: a high school diploma or the equivalent, a minimum C+ grade point average in high school, graduating in the upper three-fifths of the graduating class, and taking the SAT or ACT test. Applicants for arts and music programs must also either audition or present a portfolio of work to the department heads prior to acceptance. All application materials should be sent by the deadline.
To begin the undergraduate application process, students should visit the Mansfield website and click the Apply Now button. This takes applicants to the online application form, which should be completed and submitted along with an application fee.
Graduate students have a similar online form that includes sections for information about previous undergraduate study.
Students seeking financial aid should begin by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is available online at fafsa.gov. This form determines eligibility for federal aid in the form of grants, loans, and work-study programs. It is also required as a supplementary material for many other grant and scholarship applications sponsored by third parties.
Additional funding is available through Mansfield’s scholarship process. All students who are admitted to the university are entered into the scholarship competition and potential winners are decided on a rolling basis. Many of these scholarships are sponsored by various third parties and awarded to students who demonstrate academic excellence and potential. Many are also limited to students in certain departments or major programs. For example, the Rhode Bartell Music Scholarship is awarded to entering freshmen who plan to major in the double reed. The Blossburg National Bank Scholarship is available only to students who attended North Penn High School. Awards can range from $250 to $1,000 and more. Visit the Scholarships and Awards catalogue page for information about specific scholarship opportunities.
Many students at Mansfield University live on campus in one of the residence halls or apartment complexes. Living on campus makes it easy for students to walk to classes, meet up with friends, bond with hall mates, and generally get involved in campus events and activities. Students are also encouraged to enroll in a meal plan, which is a discounted package plan for meals at any of the University’s dining halls. Living on campus is an easy way to become a member of the Mansfield community and meet new people in the program.
There are also more than 100 on-campus clubs and organizations. Clubs are a great way to get involved and meet people who have similar interests, so freshmen are highly recommended to explore the available options and join ones that look intriguing.
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