Pfeiffer University vs. PennWest California

Should I go to Pfeiffer University or PennWest California? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Pfeiffer University or PennWest California is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Pfeiffer University vs. PennWest California comparison
Pfeiffer University PennWest California College 3 College 4
Pfeiffer University PennWest California
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Overview

Pfeiffer University PennWest California
Location Misenheimer, NC California, PA
Setting Distant Rural Town Fringe
Enrollment 1,076 6,509
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #627 #1033
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pfeiffer.edu calu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Pfeiffer University PennWest California
Tuition (In State) $31,940 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $31,940 $11,574
Room & Board $12,520 $10,416
Avg Net Price $21,575 -
Avg Grant Aid $24,926 $0
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 0%

Admission

Pfeiffer University PennWest California
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,299 -
Admitted 897 -
Acceptance Rate 69.1%
Enrolled % 18.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.18 3.31
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/25 18/24
SAT Range 891/1165 940/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025 Aug 22, 2025

Academics

Pfeiffer University PennWest California
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Health Professions (5%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)

Outcomes

Pfeiffer University PennWest California
Graduation Rate 45% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,100 $42,500
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,399 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $231 $258

Diversity

Pfeiffer University PennWest California
% Men 39% 39%
% Women 61% 61%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 52% 77%
% Black 21% 12%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 6% 1%
% Unknown Race 15% 2%

Students

Pfeiffer University PennWest California
% In-State 72% 86%
% Out-of-State 24% 13%

Campus

Pfeiffer University PennWest California
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • PennWest California is larger than than Pfeiffer University based on total student enrollment (6,509 students vs. 1,076 students)

Pfeiffer University vs. PennWest California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pfeiffer University or PennWest California?

  • Pfeiffer University is 313.9% more expensive to attend than PennWest California for in-state tuition ($31,940.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 176% higher at Pfeiffer University than PennWest California ($31,940.00 vs. $11,574.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at PennWest California are 20.2% lower than costs at Pfeiffer University ($10,416 vs. $12,520)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Pfeiffer University than PennWest California (100% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pfeiffer University students is ?% larger than aid received PennWest California ($24,926 vs. $0)

Which college is harder to get into, Pfeiffer University or PennWest California? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PennWest California or Pfeiffer University .

  • The average SAT score at Pfeiffer University (931) is 9 points higher than at PennWest California (922)
  • Incoming Pfeiffer University students have at the same average ACT score (20) as students at PennWest California (20)
  • Accepted freshman PennWest California students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Pfeiffer University (3.18)

Pfeiffer University vs. PennWest California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Pfeiffer University or PennWest California? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between PennWest California and Pfeiffer University.

  • The graduation rate at PennWest California is higher than Pfeiffer University (53% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from PennWest California earn on average $1,400 more per year than Pfeiffer University graduates after ten years. ($42,500 vs. $41,100)
  • Pfeiffer University students graduate with a $2,601 lower median federal student loan debt than PennWest California graduates. ($22,399 vs. $25,000)
  • Pfeiffer University graduates are paying $27 less per month on federal student loans than PennWest California graduates. ($231 vs. $258)
  • More PennWest California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pfeiffer University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/