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Widener University

Widener University

Chester, PA · Suburb · 2,951 students
Website Common App Scorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$25,759
Average net priceYour net price
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
66%
Graduation rate
58% typical
$70,920
Earnings 10 years on
$55,545 typical
71%
Acceptance rate
81% typical · not scored
Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
About

Widener University is a private institution located in Chester, Pennsylvania, widely recognized for its career-focused education with premier programs in nursing, engineering, business, and the health sciences. The university distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to experiential learning, offering structured co-op tracks, robust leadership development programs, and civic engagement deeply integrated into the curriculum. On campus, students experience a tight-knit, supportive community featuring active Greek life, NCAA Division III athletics, and a culture centered on meaningful community service. Furthermore, Widener’s proximity to Philadelphia provides undergraduates with direct access to top-tier clinical rotations, corporate internships, and a strong regional alumni network.

Wikipedia:Widener University is a private university in Chester, Pennsylvania, United States. Established in 1821, the university was known as the Pennsylvania Military College until 1972. Widener enrolls approximately 3,500 undergraduate students across six colleges and schools. The university also operates two distinct law schools in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware. Widener is named in honor of Eleanor Elkins Widener.

Location
Chester, PA, 19013-5792 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
PHL · Philadelphia
6 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$55,730
Housing & food (on campus)$16,530
Books & supplies$1,408
Cost of attendance$77,538
Average net price$25,759
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$55,730
Housing & food (on campus)$16,530
Books & supplies$1,408
Cost of attendance$77,538
Average net price$25,759
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.widener.edu
How it’s made up
Tuition$60,038
Housing$9,500
Food$8,000
Total published by the school$77,538
Net price by family income
$0–30k
$21,200
$30–48k
$22,275
$48–75k
$22,514
$75–110k
$25,900
$110k+
$32,296
Grants from the school
100% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $38,967
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
66%
Within 4 yrs
61%
Back for yr 2
78%
Transferred
15%
Pell students: 55.0% · others: 71.5% 
8 yrs after starting
67% graduated · 24% transferred · 8% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings
6 yrs after entry$63,375
10 yrs after entry$70,920
Debt
Median at graduation$27,000
Monthly payment$286
Middle 50% owe$8.8k–$28k
90th percentile$35,500
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral/Professional University: 58% graduate within 6 yrs, $55,545 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in
Admit rate
71%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
1180
R 550–650 · M 530–640
SAT middle 50%: 1080–1290
40080012001600
Admitted students
Admit rate: men 65.3% · women 75.1% 
Yield: 13.8% of admitted students enroll 

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Essay prompts

If Widener University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 39%Women 61%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
11 : 1
Pell grant
33%
First-gen
30%
Family income
$77,624
Independent
15%
Age at entry
21.0
Part-time
6%
Where first-years come from
In state (PA)
70.5%
Out of state
29.1%
International
0.0%

Most out-of-state first-years from: NJ 165 · DE 64 · MD 24 · CT 5 · NY 5

Race & ethnicity
White
51%
Hispanic
10%
Black
29%
Asian
4%
Two or more
1%
Non-resident
2%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III with football
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Men's · Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs
After 6 yrs
$63,375
After 10 yrs
$70,920
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing201
Psychology, General48
Business Administration, Management and Operations44
Mechanical Engineering39
Health and Medical Administrative Services36
Biology, General35
Finance and Financial Management Services21
Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering20
Civil Engineering19
Criminal Justice and Corrections17
Accounting and Related Services17
Biomedical/Medical Engineering15
Computer Science14
Marketing13
Chemical Engineering12
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering10
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$118M
Full-time faculty
39%
Faculty salary
$8,979/mo
Teaching spend
$14,606
per student
Federal loans
72%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral/Professional University
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if Widener University is the right fit for you?

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search