Chester, PA Overview
Widener University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Chester, Pennsylvania. There are currently 2,513 undergraduates at Widener and the school’s acceptance rate is 88%. The tuition at Widener is $51,639.
Suburb
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
2,513
Pell Grant 20%
Undergrad Students Over 25 9%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 8%
Percent Male / Female 42% / 58%
Ethnic Diversity at Widener
66% White
18% Black
6% Hispanic
4% Asian / Pacific Islander
3% Unknown
1% International / Non-Citizen
1% Multiracial
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
11:1
Graduation Rate
68%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Health Professions & Related Programs
34%
34% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
18%
18% of graduates
Engineering
15%
15% of graduates
Psychology
7%
7% of graduates
Legal Studies
5%
5% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Education
4%
4% of graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services
4%
4% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
3%
3% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
2%
2% of graduates
Physical Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
1%
1% of graduates
Social Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
1%
1% of graduates
English Language & Literature
1%
1% of graduates
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$69,953
$38,250
$31,703
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$69,953for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at Widener is $69,953. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Widener would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Using State Grants at Widener
Pennsylvania residents considering Widener should be sure to look at Pennsylvania state grant programs. Two of the biggest educational grant programs in PA are PHEAA and TIP. PHEAA offers funding for Pennsylvania students who are enrolled at least half-time in an institution and program approved by PHEAA. Students must meet certain academic and financial criteria in order to qualify. TIP, also known as PA-TIP, offers funding to students pursuing a degree in a field that the state designates as high-demand. Here are those fields in 2024:
- Energy
- Health
- Advanced Materials and Diversified Manufacturing
- Agriculture and Food Production
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Pennsylvania scholarships
Widener University Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Widener University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Widener University is 003313.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Pell Grants at Widener University
23% of students at Widener University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Widener University.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Widener students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions Snapshot
88%
Is Widener test-optional?
Widener University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
Early Action
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at Widener?
Students must apply by July 28 to enroll at Widener during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
And if you’re considering applying Early Action at Widener, remember that the deadline is November 3.
Should I apply Early Action at Widener?
Early Action is a great option for students who want to hear back from a college before the Regular Decision admissions are released. At some colleges, applying Early Action can also help your admissions chances. However, this varies on a college-by-college basis, so it will not always give you a boost.
Be on the lookout for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action options. These are not the same as Early Action, and although they can be great options for some students, they are not a good fit for everyone. If you’re considering applying for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action, be sure to read the college’s admissions website carefully. Make sure that these restrictions fit with your college admissions plan.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
Graduate Income
$70,920
Median Debt $27,000
Debt 10 years after graduation $286
Graduation Rate 68%
What is the graduation rate at Widener University?
68% of students who start at Widener University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 10% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Widener University go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Widener University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $70,920. This is $20,529 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Widener take out in loans?
Graduates of Widener have to take out a median of $27,000 in federal student loans. This is $13,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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