Academic Comparison between Widener University and Penn State

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

  • Widener University is a private (not-for-profit) and Penn State is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Widener University has more expensive tuition & fees ($53,638) than Penn State ($40,188).
  • It is harder to admit to Penn State than Widener University.
  • Penn State has a higher submitted SAT score (1,170) than Widener University (1,170).
  • Penn State has more students with 50,028 students while Widener University has 5,416 students.
  • Widener University has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while Penn State's ratio is 15 to 1.
  • Penn State has more full-time faculties with 2,994 faculties while Widener University has 263 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Widener Universityvs.Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Chester, PennsylvaniaLocationUniversity Park, Pennsylvania
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Doctoral / Research UniversityCarnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
$53,6382024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$20,234
Out-Of-State$40,188
98%% Receiving Financial Aid56%
$27,379Average Amount of Financial Aid$11,574
84.02 %Acceptance Rates54.22 %
14.85 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)19.40 %
1,170SAT Score1,310
-ACT Score29
67 %Graduation Rate83 %
25 %Transfer-out Rate1 %
75 %Retention Rate91 %
5,416Student Population50,028
263Number of Faculties2,994
11 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio15 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 services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services