Academic Comparison between Penn State Harrisburg and Widener University

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg and Widener University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Penn State Harrisburg is a four-year, public school located in Middletown, PA and Widener University is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Chester, PA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Penn State Harrisburg is a public and Widener University is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Widener University has more expensive tuition & fees ($53,638) than Penn State Harrisburg ($26,668).
  • It is harder to admit to Widener University than Penn State Harrisburg.
  • Penn State Harrisburg has a higher submitted SAT score (1,210) than Widener University (1,170).
  • Widener University has more students with 5,416 students while Penn State Harrisburg has 4,572 students.
  • Widener University has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while Penn State Harrisburg's ratio is 14 to 1.
  • Widener University has more full-time faculties with 263 faculties while Penn State Harrisburg has 240 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburgvs.Widener University
Middletown, PennsylvaniaLocationChester, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Carnegie ClassificationDoctoral / Research University
In-State$15,944
Out-Of-State$26,668
2024 Tuition & Fees$53,638
70%% Receiving Financial Aid98%
$10,114Average Amount of Financial Aid$27,379
96.00 %Acceptance Rates84.00 %
12.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)15.00 %
1,210SAT Score1,170
28ACT Score-
24 %Graduation Rate67 %
45 %Transfer-out Rate25 %
80 %Retention Rate75 %
4,572Student Population5,416
240Number of Faculties263
14 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio11 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services