Pacific Union College Pacific Union College (PUC), founded in 1882 in California's Napa Valley, is a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The 200-acre campus surrounded by forests and vineyards offers programs in arts, sciences, and health professions. PUC maintains a 11:1 student-faculty ratio and requires all students to complete religion courses. The college is particularly known for its biology and nursing programs, with graduates achieving high acceptance rates to medical schools. Campus features include the newly renovated Chan Shun Hall and the Pacific Union College Church.
PUC takes pride in its integration of faith and learning within the Adventist educational tradition. Campus life includes weekly vespers services, outdoor programs, and NAIA athletics. The college's location provides opportunities for environmental studies and wine industry-related programs. Recent initiatives include the STEM Center and expanded health sciences offerings. PUC's combination of academic excellence, spiritual growth, and beautiful Napa Valley setting creates a distinctive Adventist educational experience.
Pacific Union College Acceptance Rate
Pacific Union College is a well-known institution. It has a selective admission process. The acceptance rate of Pacific Union College (PUC) is 48.46%. This means that 48 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
How Competitive are Pacific Union College Admissions?
- Moderately Competitive: Applicants need good academics and extracurriculars.
- GPA, SAT/ACT, and AP/IB courses significantly impact admission chances.
- A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.
Since the acceptance rate is low, you need to perform exceptionally well in academics and other activities. However, since it is not below 20%, you still have a chance if your GPA isn\'t excellent. You can compensate for a lower GPA by scoring high on the SAT, and ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.
Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can enhance your admission chances.
Pacific Union College Admission Requirements
PUC GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at PUC is 3.24. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A’s and B’s is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
If your GPA is between 2.94 and 3.24, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score. A minimum GPA of 2.84 is required.
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Can I Get Into PUC Without SAT Or ACT?: Pacific Union College considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.
Pacific Union College (PUC) SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.
Pacific Union College Average SAT Score: 1075
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Pacific Union College is 1075 on the 1600 SAT scale.
Pacific Union College SAT Competitiveness
This score makes it an easy target or SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1075 on the SAT.
Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1200 SAT or 23 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Pacific Union College allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 990, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to PUC. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.
Pacific Union College SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 535 | 480 | 590 |
| SAT Reading | 560 | 510 | 610 |
| SAT Composite | 1075 | 990 | 1200 |
It means that if you have scored less than 990 then you are below most of the admitted students at PUC and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1200 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Pacific Union College (PUC) with a 1200 SAT?
With a 1200 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Pacific Union College (PUC) are good but the admission staff at PUC tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Pacific Union College (PUC) ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at PUC is 21.
Pacific Union College ACT Competitiveness
This score makes Pacific Union College less competitive for ACT scores. You need to put average efforts to score 21 on the ACT.
Pacific Union College ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 18 | 15 | 20 |
| ACT English | 20 | 18 | 21 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 18 | 23 |
Can I get into Pacific Union College with a 23 ACT?
With a 23 ACT Score, your chances of admission at Pacific Union College are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. The College Admission process tests your all-around personality and academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.
View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 21.PUC Profile
Name: Pacific Union College (PUC)
City: Angwin
URL: https://www.puc.edu/
State: California
Type: Non-Profit Private
Zip: 94508-9707
Campus: Main
Accredited by: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
How much does a degree from PUC Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Pacific Union College is USD: 45219. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Pacific Union College is much less than this.
How can I get a scholarship?
39.52% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 65.21 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to PUC and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Pacific Union College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist PUC as your choice in the form.
How much a PUC Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the PUC graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 70484. An average PUC graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Pacific Union College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of Pacific Union College, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Auburn University at Montgomery, AL | 1051 | 22 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville State University, AL | 1055 | 20 |
| Troy University | Troy University, AL | 1050 | 21 |
| Williams Baptist University | Williams Baptist University, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Colorado Mesa University, CO | 1062 | 22 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Metropolitan State University of Denver, CO | 1025 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Colorado State University Pueblo, CO | 1031 | 21 |
| Central Connecticut State University | Central Connecticut State University, CT | 1061 | 21 |
| The Baptist College of Florida | The Baptist College of Florida, FL | 1045 | 20 |
| Georgia Southern University | Georgia Southern University, GA | 1057 | 21 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Pacific Union College. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for Pacific Union College, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adams State University | Adams State University, CO | 1066 | 21 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Eastern Connecticut State University, CT | 1079 | 22 |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, FL | 1077 | 21 |
| Georgia Southwestern State University | Georgia Southwestern State University, GA | 1075 | 22 |
| Truett McConnell University | Truett McConnell University, GA | 1077 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Pacific Union College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | University of South Alabama, AL | 1118 | 23 |
| Arkansas State University | Arkansas State University, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | University of Central Arkansas, AR | 1118 | 22 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa Pacific University, CA | 1132 | 25 |
| University of La Verne | University of La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Air Transportation
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
- Bible/Biblical Studies
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Biology, General
- Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
- Business/Commerce, General
- Chemistry
- Communication and Media Studies
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
Frequently Asked Questions About Pacific Union College Admissions
Answer: Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $70484 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
Question: What is the tuition fee for Pacific Union College?
Answer: The tuition fee at this university is moderate, around $45219 per year. Many students seek financial aid and scholarships to manage the cost.
Question: What are my chances of getting a scholarship at Pacific Union College?
Answer: Your chances of getting a scholarship are excellent, with more than a 80% chance, depending on your academic performance and extracurricular involvement.
Question: What is the acceptance rate for Pacific Union College?
Answer: The acceptance rate of Pacific Union College is 48.46 which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
Question: What is the average GPA of admitted students at Pacific Union College?
Answer: The average GPA of admitted students is 3.24. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
Question: What is the minimum GPA required for admission to Pacific Union College?
Answer: The minimum GPA required for admission is typically around 2.94, though this can vary depending on other factors such as test scores, extracurriculars, and essays.
Question: What are my chances at Pacific Union College with a 2.94 GPA?
Answer: If your GPA is 2.94 or less, it may makes admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays.
Question: Can I apply to Pacific Union College if my GPA is below 2.84
Answer: While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.24, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Question: How competitive is the SAT score requirement for Pacific Union College?
Answer: Admission to Pacific Union College is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1075 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 990-1200
Question: Is it possible to transfer to Pacific Union College from another university?
Answer: Yes, many students successfully transfer to Pacific Union College each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
Question: What is the campus culture like at Pacific Union College?
Answer: The campus culture at Pacific Union College is diverse and vibrant, with numerous student organizations, sports teams, and cultural activities. It’s an ideal environment for personal growth and building lifelong connections.
Question: How can I improve my chances of getting into Pacific Union College?
Answer: To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
Full list of All degree programs offered by Pacific Union College.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2025, US Department of Education's latest 2025 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.