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Pacific Union College

For more than 125 years, Pacific Union College has provided an environment in which scholarship and faith thrive through the honest and intellectual exploration of ideas.

Angwin, CA School Website • Request Information

Pacific Union College, located in California's Napa Valley, is a four-year liberal arts college accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Founded in 1882 by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, PUC offers a Christian approach to comprehensive undergraduate education with a broad range of academic programs. PUC’s reputation for academic excellence is highlighted by consistent rankings among the top baccalaureate colleges in the West by U.S. News and World Report.

A destination campus in the world-famous Napa Valley, PUC is a hidden gem in the hills of Northern California. With over 1,500 undergraduate students, PUC offers a strong academic program in the liberal arts tradition, emphasizes academic excellence, fosters an authentic spiritual experience, and provides opportunities for service to local and worldwide communities. PUC’s small class sizes and personal interactions with faculty lead students into the nation’s best graduate programs.

Engaged Students

Pacific Union College offers an excellent Christ-centered education that prepares its students for productive lives of useful human service and uncompromising personal integrity.

  • PUC provides opportunities for academic research in the fields of biology, psychology, physics, and others, earning PUC students various awards and honors at major national conventions. Recently students have presented groundbreaking research at the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors; the International Conference on Phototonic, Electronic, and Atomic Collisions; the American Association of Cancer Research; and the Western Psychological Association Convention.
  • Each year, a number of PUC students take opportunities to study in countries like Argentina, Austria, Brazil, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, and the Ukraine through the Adventist Colleges Abroad (ACA) program, while completing requirements of their programs at PUC. Students are immersed in the culture and life of another country while becoming conversant in its language.
  • PUC students have developed a strong reputation in their commitment to service. Students have volunteered as student missionaries all over the world, in places as diverse as South America, Micronesia, and the Middle East, as well as in their own communities. PUC offers more than a dozen campus ministries that focus on growing students in faith and service. In any given week, community-conscious students can be found making a difference in their local community at a variety of ministry and service opportunities.

Great Teaching

Education at Pacific Union College not only means a quality liberal arts degree, it means gaining an incomparable appreciation for knowledge and service that continues far beyond your years as an undergraduate student. Professors offer a world-class education in each of their specialized subjects and develop life-long mentorships through which students acquire a passion for their chosen fields.

  • PUC professors engage students in a broad range of high-impact educational practices. These include first-year seminars and experiences that closely involve them with faculty and staff on a regular basis; common intellectual experiences highlighting the “big questions” that matter within and outside of the academic setting; tight-knit learning communities; writing-intensive classes in all disciplines; collaborative projects and undergraduate research; exposure to diverse and global perspectives; and integration of community involvement and service into the learning process.
  • The 15:1 student/faculty ratio provides the benefits of small class sizes and personal interaction.

  • PUC boasts a highly accomplished faculty, in part because the college creates opportunities to develop excellence. The Herber Family Endowment grants $10,000 to faculty members toward their quest to achieve and sustain innovative, quality instruction. These grants finance developmental opportunities from attending workshops to presenting papers all over the world.
  • Over the years, PUC’s faculty has included Fulbright scholars, published authors, and renowned artists. These professors convert this wealth of experience into unmatched expertise in the classroom
  • PUC is especially known for its focus on the health sciences, including pre-medical and pre-dental studies and the nursing program, PUC’s most popular major. Newer programs at PUC include film and television, environmental studies, and film and theater.

Vibrant Community

As a college built on a foundation of faith, perhaps the most important aspect of PUC is its strong community of Christian believers. The campus offers many official opportunities for worship every week, such as church services, evening vespers, and sacred music programs. In addition, the campus is home to innumerable small groups that meet frequently for prayer, Bible study, worship, and support.

PUC’s Student Association offers a constant lineup of social and entertainment programming. Frequent activities include film screenings, music concerts, and game nights, as well as major quarterly and annual events like banquets, seasonal festivals, and talent shows. In addition, events hosted by the college’s over 30 social, cultural, and special interest clubs ensure that there is always something to do at PUC.

The campus is home to Rasmussen Art Gallery, the Alice Holst Theater, and the Paulin Center for the Performing Arts, where students can experience an ever-changing stream of cultural exhibits and performances. These range from student recitals and original plays to performances and exhibitions by world-class and internationally known artists.

Successful Outcomes

PUC graduates are often accepted into the nation’s best graduate programs, including law programs at Harvard University, Georgetown University, and U.C. Berkeley; business schools like the University of Chicago and Columbia University; and journalism programs at Stanford University. Over the last ten years, more graduates of Loma Linda University’s prestigious schools of medicine and dentistry took their undergrad studies at PUC than at any other college.

  • Graduates have gone on to work in some of the nation’s most successful companies, including Google, Verizon, and DreamWorks Studios.
  • PUC is most proud of the fact that so many of its graduates choose to live lives of service after finishing college. A large swath of alumni are doctors, dentists, teachers, nurses, and ministers, and perform these jobs in places where the need is high and the pay is low or non-existent—such as Ghana; Ethiopia; Salta, Argentina; Kenya; and China.

Distinguished alumni:

Loree K. Sutton, M.D. United States Brigadier General and founding director of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury.

Patricia Thio. Emmy award winner, Associate Director of PR Video Production at Loma Linda University.

John Lee, M.D. Named among Southern California’s 2010 “Best Doctors” by Inland Empire Magazine.

Lisa Breckenridge. TV personality and entertainment correspondent, FOX 11 Los Angeles.

Ashley Riveira. Harvard Law School, associate at Crowell & Moring, Washington, D.C. specializing in international dispute resolution

David Pizarro, Ph.D. Yale-educated psychologist, assistant professor at Cornell University.

Jarrod Denton. LEED-accredited architect, designer of California’s first certified Passive House.

Marnie Breckenridge. Internationally-renowned opera singer.

The Honorable Terry Bork. Judge for Los Angeles Superior Court.

Erica Davis. First woman to climb to the summit of Tanzania's Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Pacific Union College is a four-year Christian college with a strong liberal arts tradition, founded in 1882 and affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Web site
www.puc.edu

Location: Angwin, California

Student Profile
1,527 undergraduate students (46 percent male, 54 percent female)

Faculty Profile
91 full-time faculty, 10 part-time faculty, many more adjunct faculty. 15:1 student/faculty ratio.

Athletics
PUC competes in six varsity sports in the NAIA CalPac Conference: Men's Basketball, Men's Soccer, Men's Cross Country, Women's Basketball, Women's Volleyball, Women's Cross Country
Mascot: Pioneers
Colors: Green and Gold

Academic Programs
Aviation

  • Aviation – A.S.
  • Aviation – B.S.
  • Minor in Aviation

Biology

  • Biology – B.A.
  • Biology – B.S.
  • Natural Science – B.S.
  • Environmental Studies – B.S.
  • Minor in Biology
  • Minor in Environmental Science

Business Administration

  • B.B.A. – Accounting Emphasis
  • B.B.A. – Finance Emphasis
  • B.B.A. – General Business Emphasis
  • B.B.A. – Information Systems Emphasis
  • B.B.A. – International Business Emphasis
  • B.B.A. – Management Emphasis
  • B.B.A. – Marketing Emphasis
  • Business Administration – B.A.
  • Business Administration – B.S.
  • Business Administration – A.S.
  • Minor in Business Administration

Chemistry

  • Chemistry – B.A.
  • Chemistry – B.S.
  • Chemistry, Biochemistry Emphasis – B.S.
  • Natural Science, Chemistry Emphasis – B.S.
  • Minor in Chemistry

Communication

  • Communication – B.A.
  • Communication, Communication Studies Emphasis – B.S.
  • Communication, Journalism Emphasis – B.S.
  • Communication, Public Relations Emphasis – B.S.
  • International Communication, French Emphasis – B.A.
  • International Communication, German Emphasis – B.A.
  • International Communication, Italian Emphasis – B.A.
  • International Communication, Spanish Emphasis – B.A.
  • Minor in Communication
  • Minor in PR/Journalism

Computer Science

  • Computer Science – B.A.
  • Computer Science – B.S.
  • Minor in Computer Science

Education

  • Liberal Studies – B.S.
  • Teacher Education Program
  • Master of Education – M.Ed.
  • Early Childhood Education – A.S.
  • Early Childhood Education – B.S.

Emergency Services Program

  • Emergency Services – A.S.

English

  • English, British and American Literature Emphasis – B.A.
  • English, Writing Emphasis – B.A.
  • English, Drama Emphasis – B.A.
  • English, Teaching English as Second Language Emphasis – B.A.
  • English, English Education Emphasis – B.A.
  • Film and Theater Studies – A.S.
  • Minor in Drama
  • Minor in English
  • Minor in Writing

Exercise Science, Health and Nutrition

  • Physical Education, Teacher Education Emphasis – B.S.
  • Exercise Science – B.S.
  • Minor in Physical Education

History

  • History, American History Emphasis – B.A.
  • History, European History Emphasis – B.A.
  • Social Studies – B.S.
  • Minor in History

Mathematics

  • Mathematics – B.S.
  • Biomathematics – B.S.
  • Minor in Mathematics

Modern Languages

  • Spanish – B.A.
  • Minor in French
  • Minor in German
  • Minor in Italian
  • Minor in Spanish

Music

  • Music – A.S.
  • Music – B.S.
  • Music, Education Emphasis – B.Mus.
  • Music, Performance Emphasis – B.Mus.
  • Music, Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental Requirements – B.S.

Nursing

  • Pre-Nursing for Admission to PUC Nursing Program
  • Nursing – A.S. and B.S.N. (2-Step Program)
  • Nursing – B.S.N. (For Registered Nurses)

Physics

  • Biophysics – B.S.
  • Physics – B.S.
  • Engineering – B.S. in Affiliation with Walla Walla University
  • Natural Science, Physics Emphasis – B.S.
  • Minor in Physics

Pre-Professional

  • Pre-Art Therapy
  • Pre-Dental Hygiene
  • Pre-Dentistry
  • Pre-Law
  • Pre-Medicine
  • Pre- Optometry
  • Pre- Osteopathy
  • Pre-Pharmacy
  • Pre-Public Health
  • Pre-Veterinary Medicine
  • Pre-Clinical Laboratory Science
  • Pre-Speech Pathology
  • Pre-Cytotechnology
  • Pre-Health Information Administration
  • Pre-Medical Radiography (A.S.)
  • Pre-Nutrition & Dietetics
  • Pre-Occupational Therapy
  • Pre-Physical Therapy Assisting
  • Pre-Physical Therapy
  • Pre-Physician Assistant
  • Pre-Radiation Sciences
  • Pre-Respiratory Care

Psychology and Social Work

  • Psychology – B.A.
  • Psychology – B.S.
  • Social Work – B.S.W.
  • Minor in Psychology

Religion

  • Theology – B.A.
  • Religion, Biblical Studies Emphasis – B.A.
  • Religion – Health Professions Emphasis – B.A.
  • Religion – Theology and Christian History Emphasis – B.A.
  • Minor in Biblical Languages
  • Minor in Religion

Visual Arts

  • Graphic Design, A.S.
  • Graphic Design, Design Emphasis – B.S.
  • Graphic Design, Illustration Emphasis – B.S.
  • Graphic Design, Web Emphasis – B.S.
  • Fine Art – B.A.
  • Fine Art – B.S.
  • Photography – A.S.
  • Photography – B.S.
  • Film and Television – B.S.
  • Film and Theater Studies – A.S.
  • Minor in Art
  • Minor in Art History

Costs and Aid
Comprehensive tuition: $33,240
Percentage of students receiving financial aid: 100% receive at least $1,000 per year

Endowment
$22 million

More Distinctions

  • U.S. News & World Report has ranked PUC in the top tier of its category in the “Best Colleges” issue for 17 consecutive years.
  • Top Ten in top tier, Baccalaureate Colleges (West), U.S. News & World Report, 2011
  • #2 Ethnic Diversity, Baccalaureate Colleges (West), U.S. News & World Report, 2011
  • #3 Most International Students, Baccalaureate Colleges (West), U.S. News & World Report, 2011
  • #3 Best Value, U.S. News & World Report, 2011
  • #1 Ethnic Diversity, Baccalaureate Colleges (West), U.S. News & World Report, 2010
  • #2 Most International Students, Baccalaureate Colleges (West), U.S. News & World Report, 2010
  • Top ten, research category, Baccalaureate Colleges, Washington Monthly, 2010

 

Students will have regular admission status if they have acceptable recommendations and qualify as having secondary-school graduation, or its equivalent, and GPA of at least 2.3 (C+) in “solid” subjects, and have completed the following:

Minimum Requirements
4 years of English
2 years of Mathematics, including Algebra
1 year of Science
1 year of History

Strongly Recommended
3 years of Mathematics, including Algebra II and Geometry
3 years of Science, including Biology, Physics, and Chemistry
2 years of History, including U.S. and World History
2 years of Foreign Language
Computer Literacy

Students can apply online at http://www.puc.edu/enrollment/apply or call the Office of Enrollment at 1-800-862-7080.

Admission Application Deadline:
Applications are evaluated for admission on a rolling basis. Each application is reviewed for admission purposes as soon as all the needed documents are on file.

Financial Aid:
In addition to state and federal financial aid, including the Cal Grant, the Pell Grant, and Stafford, Perkins, and PLUS loans, all incoming PUC students will receive a set amount of scholarship funding based on academic performance. These scholarships are guaranteed for all four years of college, and are based on high school GPA for new freshmen or cumulative college GPA for transfer students.

GPA        Scholarship    4-Year Total
3.75-4.00    $7,000        $28,000
3.50-3.74    $6,000        $24,000
3.25-2.49    $5,000        $20,000
3.00-3.24    $4,000        $16,000
2.75-2.99    $3,000        $12,000
2.50-2.74    $2,000        $8,000
3.20-2.49    $1,500        $6,000
2.00-2.29    $1,000        $4,000

Furthermore, PUC offers a variety of specialty scholarships and most are renewable for all four years:

Maxwell Scholarship
$15,000 per year/$60,000 total for new freshmen who have demonstrated academic success, exceptional leadership, and commitment to Christian service.

President’s Scholarship
$9,000 per year/$36,000 total for students with a GPA of 3.75-4.0 and an ACT over 29 or SAT over 1900.

Dean’s Scholarship
$8,000 per year/$32,000 total for students with a GPA of 3.5-4.0 and an ACT over 26 or SAT over 1700.

Adventist Mission Scholarship
$3,000 per year/$12,000 total for students pursuing a career in ministry or teaching.

Arts Scholarship
$3,000 per year/$12,000 total for five art or music majors who exhibit exceptional skill.

Athletic Scholarship
Up to $5,000 per year/$20,000 total for students who show exceptional performance in a Pioneers varsity sport and play on the team—basketball, cross country, men’s soccer, and women’s volleyball.

PUC’s full list of scholarship and financial aid opportunities is available at puc.edu/scholarships.