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Chester , PA
Widener University is a private institution located in Chester, Pennsylvania. Established in 1821, it is one of the oldest universities in the state. Widener offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including arts and sciences, business, engineering, nursing, and social work. The university is known for its commitment to experiential learning, providing numerous opportunities for students to gain practical experience through internships, co-op programs, and community engagement. With a diverse student body and a strong emphasis on personal growth and professional development, Widener University strives to prepare students for successful careers and meaningful contributions to society.
Widener's campus is spread across 110 acres, offering state-of-the-art facilities and resources to support academic, athletic, and extracurricular activities. The university prioritizes student well-being and provides comprehensive support through academic advising, counseling services, health services, and disability support. Students can immerse themselves in a vibrant campus life, whether it's participating in more than 100 student organizations, joining athletic teams, or attending events and lectures.
Widener is recognized for its dedication to civic engagement and community service. The university's commitment to social responsibility is reflected in its curriculum, promoting global awareness, leadership development, and service-learning opportunities. Widener is also known for its strong alumni network, which offers professional connections and mentorship for students and graduates. With a focus on hands-on learning, community engagement, and a supportive environment, Widener University offers a well-rounded education that prepares students for success in their chosen fields and beyond.
Widener University is a private university located in Chester, PA. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 70%. The six-year graduation rate at Widener University is 68%.
Find out more about what you can expect if you get into Widener University.
Quick Facts
2,975
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$57,180
Tuition
68%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to improve your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission. Check out some vital data about admission at Widener University.
According to the newest information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 6,631 in 2025. Widener University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant chooses to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
5% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 48% between 1,200 and 1,399, 38% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 9% between 800 and 999. The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.52. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Widener University.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 68%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Making the choice of which school is the best place for you is not simple. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a clearer picture of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Widener University in 2025 was 5,713.
That year, the institution had 33% of students coming from another state. There was a total of 2,975 undergraduate students, including 46 international students. The school reported to have a total of 81 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,754 male and 2,832 female full-time students in 2025. 623 full-time graduate men and 1,119 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. An inclusive student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Widener University.
This school had 122 Asian students and 843 Afro-American students in 2025. 285 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 38 as multirace. The school also had 2 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 11 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 91 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you submit an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition fees for this university.
Tuition in 2025 was $57,180 for full-time domestic students. Widener University is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students amounted to $1,100 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another important expense. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,408.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
In 2025, room and board cost at Widener University amounted to $17,120 a year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school cost $9,220, according to the data from 2025.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 57,180 |
| Room and Board | $ 17,120 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,408 |
| Total Expense | $ 75,708 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial help: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based aid students could get at Widener University.
According to the most recent data, 834 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $46,662.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 2,017 students who obtained need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 2,270. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $9,002,989, and state $4,967,808. The students of Widener University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $73,671,016, and external in the amount of $1,344,873.
$30,651
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
1,874 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2025. 834 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $17,463,849. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $436,566 USD.
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Majors
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some details about campus life at Widener University.
It has a campus size of 110 acres.
Student Organizations
Involvement in student organizations can make your educational experience more dynamic and gratifying.
This number includes sororities and fraternities. 8 percent of male and 14 of female students are involved in different organizations at Widener University. Students who like music can join the Widener University band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you.
Student Services
Widener University has a number of services crucial for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Widener University.
All in all, campus life at Widener University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Widener University.
Career Counselling
At Widener University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Being aware of the projected salary upon finishing your studies can be important in determining if a specific school is in line with your career ambitions.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this institution is 70,987 USD.
$70,987
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Widener University is located in Chester, PA.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Widener University is 57,180 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Widener University is 70%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
