Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania

Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania is a public university in Pennsylvania, United States. It has three campuses in the Pennsylvania boroughs of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield. The university was created in 2022 by the merger of Bloomsburg University, Lock Haven University, and Mansfield University. Commonwealth University is a part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.^[4]

In 2021, the PASSHE Board of Governors voted to consolidate six PASSHE schools into two regional campuses as a way to address declining enrollment and increasing tuition. The two new regional campuses were Pennsylvania Western University and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Bloomsburg University, Lock Haven University, and Mansfield University were consolidated to form Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. Each of the previous universities became campuses for the new regional institution, and each campus maintained its own mascots.^[5] Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg's official colors are Maroon and Gold and their mascot is the Husky. The Lock Haven campus's official colors are crimson and white and the mascot is the Bald Eagle.^[6] The Mansfield campus's official colors are red and black and the official mascot is the Mountaineers.^[6] Commonwealth University participates in the NCAA Division II Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.^[6]

The first students attending Commonwealth University arrived in August 2022 with all three previous institutions having integrated their curriculum by August 2024.^[7]

The inaugural president of Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania was Dr. Bashar W. Hanna. Hanna had been president of Bloomsburg University and was named interim president of Lock Haven and Mansfield Universities upon the announcement of consolidation.^[8] Hanna was officially named President of the consolidated institution in July 2022.

Commonwealth University offers over 80 different undergraduate and graduate programs across its campuses in Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield, and Clearfield. Additionally, the availability of each academic program depends on the campus.^[9]

In 2024, the in-state tuition cost for undergraduate programs was $7,716, while out-of-state tuition was $19,869.^[10] For graduate studies, the tuition cost per credit varies based on the degree type.^[11] Tuition is determined by the PASSHE Board of Governors and Commonwealth University Council of Trustees.