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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.
Located in Chester, PA, Widener University is a private university. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 84%. The freshman retention rate at Widener University is 78% and the six-year graduation rate is 64%.
Here are some vital information on important things to consider about Widener University.
Quick Facts
2,811
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$57,180
Tuition
11:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
64%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to find out as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the university in order to increase your chances of being accepted. Check out some relevant info about admission at Widener University.
According to the newest data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 6,022 in 2024. Widener University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
3% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 38% between 1,200 and 1,399, 53% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 6% between 800 and 999. The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.45. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Widener University.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Widener University was 78% in 2024, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the educational experience at this institution.
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 64%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Making the choice of which school is the right match for you is not simple. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Widener University in 2024 was 5,610.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 37% for that year. There was a total of 2,811 students working towards bachelor's degrees, including 44 international students. 146 students were admitted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,690 male and 2,668 female full-time students in 2024. There were 623 full-time graduate male and 1,119 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
The importance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Widener University.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 112, and the number of Afro-American students was 641. 222 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 36 identified with more than one race. The school also had 3 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 7 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 78 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before submitting an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at Widener University that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Widener University? Here is what you need to know.
In 2024, tuition amounted to $57,180 for all full-time domestic students. Since this is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students reached $1,100 in 2024.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What do schools typically charge for room and board?
In 2024, room and board cost at Widener University amounted to $17,120 a year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school reached $9,220, according to the data from 2024.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 57,180 |
| Room and Board | $ 17,120 |
| Total Expense | $ 74,300 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial support can be a great deal for most students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid at Widener University.
The most recent records show that 805 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $42,293.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 1,952 students who attained need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 2,044. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $6,789,698, and state $3,445,485. The students of Widener University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $68,454,490, and external in the amount of $751,285.
$31,000
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
1,922 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2024. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 802 full-time freshmen. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $13,827,904. 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 $183,443 USD.
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Majors
Faculty
11:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
In 2024, this ratio at Widener University was 11:1. That means that there were 11 times more students than teachers at this school. According to the most recent information, there are 709 teachers at this school. Out of that number, there were 264 male and 445 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Widener University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Widener University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some details about campus life at Widener University.
Its campus is 110 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Participating in multiple student organizations can add depth and fulfillment to your educational journey.
That includes sororities and fraternities. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 8 and female students 14. If you are interested in music, you can join the Widener University band or chorus. If the world of acting appeals to you, there is a drama club you can join.
Student Services
At Widener University, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
This school has 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 all you need for a comfortable stay.
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. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Finding out some information about the expected post-graduation salary can help you decide if a particular school suits your career objectives.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school 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 has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Widener University is 84%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Widener University is 78%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 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 © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.