Widener University
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; generous financial aid cuts net price well below sticker.
About This School
Widener University is a private nonprofit institution located in Chester, Pennsylvania with approximately 2,951 undergraduate students enrolled. Widener University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 71%. The average net price after financial aid is $25,759 per year. The graduation rate is 68%, 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.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 7% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
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
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,951 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA · Public
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA · Public
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA · Public
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA · Public
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit
Community College of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA · Public
Sources & Methodology
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.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- 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.
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