Academic Comparison between Widener University and Penn State Harrisburg

Widener University and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg is a four-year, public school located in Middletown, 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 Harrisburg is a public 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 (1,170) 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

Widener Universityvs.Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg
Chester, PennsylvaniaLocationMiddletown, Pennsylvania
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Doctoral / Research UniversityCarnegie Classification
$53,6382024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$15,944
Out-Of-State$26,668
98%% Receiving Financial Aid70%
$27,379Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,114
84.02 %Acceptance Rates96.39 %
14.85 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)12.19 %
1,170SAT Score1,210
-ACT Score28
67 %Graduation Rate24 %
25 %Transfer-out Rate45 %
75 %Retention Rate80 %
5,416Student Population4,572
263Number of Faculties240
11 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio14 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