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Widener University

Chester, PA·Private nonprofit·2,765 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $59,100 within 10 years; financial aid brings net price below sticker.

84%
Accept
2,765
Students
$30,470
Net Price
64%
Grad Rate
$59,100
Earnings
10 yr
$24,567
Debt

About This School

Widener University is a private nonprofit institution located in Chester, Pennsylvania with approximately 2,765 undergraduate students enrolled. Widener University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 84%. The average net price after financial aid is $30,470 per year. The graduation rate is 64%, and the typical graduate earns $59,100 within 10 years of enrollment.

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.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: median earnings of $59,100 after 10 years are decent, and the debt load of ~$24,500 at graduation is manageable, but a 64% graduation rate means roughly 1 in 3 students who start don't finish — that's worth asking about before you commit. Worth considering if you're drawn to its six specialized colleges, strong law school pipeline, or want a smaller private university experience near Philadelphia without stretching your budget too far, especially if aid brings that $30,470 net price down further.

Founded
1821
Setting
Large suburb

Popular Programs

Health Professions38%
Engineering17%
Business & Marketing16%
Psychology7%
Biological Sciences5%
Computer Science3%
Social Sciences2%
Education2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Cecil B. DeMilleLouis Comfort TiffanyMatthew McGrorySylvanus MorleyPat QuinnDonald F. McGahn IIPatrick MurphyFrank Wilcoxon

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1170
Reading 75th %ile640
Math 75th %ile620

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$53,638
Out-of-State Tuition
$53,638
Avg Net Price
$30,470
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants25%
Median debt at graduation$24,567

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
64%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
78%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$59,100
after enrollment
Median Debt
$24,567
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$24,567
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$47,500
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$59,100
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.4x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White59%
Black23%
Hispanic/Latino8%
Asian4%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,765 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Widener University

One University Place

Chester, PA 19013-5792

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Pennsylvania

Browse all Pennsylvania schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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