Pacific Union College

Pacific Union College (PUC) is a nonprofit Seventh-day Adventist college in Angwin, in California’s Napa Valley. It combines a residential liberal-arts campus with professional programs, online graduate study, and regional nursing education. That mix makes it useful to compare the format and location of the specific degree you want: a quiet mountain campus, an online RN-to-BSN route, and a nursing cohort near a partner hospital are very different student experiences.

Programs to compare first

The college lists more than 70 programs. Among its strongest career-oriented options are nursing (associate and bachelor’s degrees, an RN-to-BSN route for registered nurses, and graduate study), social work, aviation, business, emergency management, education, biology, and communication. Its wider arts and sciences curriculum includes fields such as chemistry, environmental studies, film, graphic design, music, psychology, and theology. Nursing applicants should note that admission to PUC does not automatically mean admission to every nursing cohort: the department sets additional selection and prerequisite requirements. The aviation associate track, for example, expects an FAA private-pilot certificate and current medical as prerequisites. The program directory links to current degree requirements and department contacts.

PUC’s main campus is in Angwin, while it also operates online programs and regional education centers. The college identifies active additional locations in Napa, Ukiah, and Sonora; its admissions site also describes nursing education centers in the North Coast region, including Clearlake, Fort Bragg, and Willits. The nursing partnership with Adventist Health serves students in North Coast and Sonora communities, with clinical placements varying by cohort. PUC does not publish a single permanent street address for each of these regional cohort locations on its general campus page, so confirm the current class and clinical site with the nursing office before planning a commute. The online campus is a separate option for selected RN-to-BSN and graduate programs.

Accreditation and professional pathways

PUC’s institutional accreditation with WSCUC is active, with the latest renewal in June 2026 and the next renewal scheduled for 2032. Its Seventh-day Adventist accreditor also reviews the institution. Several career programs hold separate approvals or accreditation: nursing programs by ACEN, social work by CSWE, business programs by IACBE, and California teacher credentials by the state’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The college says its nursing school’s associate program is approved by California’s Board of Registered Nursing. These distinctions matter because professional licensing depends on the particular program and state; applicants should confirm the current approval for their exact degree, location, and intended state of practice.

2026–27 cost and aid

For 2026–27, PUC publishes annual tuition of $38,415. Its on-campus estimate adds $5,340 for residence-hall housing, $4,650 for meals, and a $1,050 general fee, for a listed total of $49,455 before books and personal expenses. The college budgets $1,305 for books. Costs differ for graduate, online, summer, and nursing-partner options, so use the program-specific figures and the school’s tuition and aid page rather than assuming the residential total applies to everyone.

PUC says students can be considered for federal, state, and institutional aid through the FAFSA (school code 001258). Its 2026 scholarship page lists renewable freshman merit awards of $10,000–$16,000 a year, depending on GPA and, for some tiers, test scores. Two full-tuition opportunities have narrower conditions: the competitive Maxwell award is for selected Fall 2026 freshmen with at least a 3.9 unweighted GPA and a campus-housing requirement; Pioneer Promise targets eligible full-time students with high financial need, Pell eligibility, a $0 Student Aid Index, and other conditions. PUC also lists transfer, local-resident, out-of-state, Adventist, and program-specific awards. These amounts are not automatic for every student; run the net-price calculator and ask Student Financial Services for a written offer showing grants separately from loans.

Applying, campus setting, and contact

PUC uses rolling admissions and recommends applying early for the best choice of classes and housing. Its online application instructions explain transcript requirements and connect applicants with enrollment counselors; use the admissions process page to start. Prospective students can arrange a campus visit. Main campus: One Angwin Avenue, Angwin, CA 94508-9797. The main college line is (707) 965-6313; Admissions lists (800) 862-7080. PUC’s Student and Spiritual Life office publishes hours of 9 a.m.–noon and 1–4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m.–noon Friday; these are that office’s hours, not a guarantee of general campus access. Call ahead to arrange a visit. The accredited campus directory lists Angwin as the main campus and Napa, Ukiah, and Sonora as additional active sites.

What visitors mention

Recent public comments describe the campus landscape and quiet setting as appealing. Some visitors also mention older-looking buildings or residence halls and limited food options nearby, so daily errands may require a drive. These are individual impressions rather than a facilities assessment; if housing condition, accessibility, or nearby services matter to you, inspect the exact residence hall and campus area during a visit and ask about current improvements. Read recent campus comments and compare them with a tour and conversations with current students.