PennWest California and PennWest Clarion are ranked first and third, respectively, for “Top Online Nursing Programs in Pennsylvania for 2023.”

“This recognition demonstrates PennWest University’s commitment to provide high-quality, affordable nursing education to residents of Western Pennsylvania and beyond,” said Dr. Deb Kelly, dean of the College of Health Sciences and assistant to the provost.

EduMed ranked these PennWest campuses based on each having an institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and having at least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.

“After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings,” EduMed stated on its website.

PennWest California offers a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in nursing program, a Master of Science in nursing – nursing administration and leadership, and a post-master’s certificate in nursing administration and leadership. PennWest Clarion also offers an RN to BSN program, a Master of Science nursing – family nurse practitioner program, and a post-master’s certificate – family nurse practitioner.

In addition to the ranking, PennWest Clarion was spotlighted as one of 2023’s Best-in-Class Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania and was one of three schools to receive such an honor.

The criteria for the spotlight was “based on factors like accreditation, affordability, study convenience and flexibility, curriculum comprehensiveness, and access to student support services.”

EduMed also ranked PennWest Clarion eighth for “Top Online Mental Health Counseling Master’s Programs for 2023.”

EduMed determined the mental health ranking in the same way it determined rankings for its nursing programs.