Arcadia vs. Widener University

Comparable Facts

Compare Arcadia University in Glenside, PA with Widener University in Chester, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Widener University is larger than Arcadia based on total student enrollment (5,713 students vs. 3,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arcadia University is located in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting); Widener University is in Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Widener University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arcadia University 10:1; Widener University 11:1.

Arcadia vs. Widener University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arcadia or Widener University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Widener University than Arcadia ($26,778 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Widener University are 3.8% lower than at Arcadia University ($16,530 vs. $17,180).
• Widener University is 12.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arcadia (about $6,120 more per year; $55,730.00 vs. $49,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.3% higher at Widener University than at Arcadia University (about $6,120 more per year; $55,730.00 vs. $49,610.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Widener University than at Arcadia University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Widener University students is 25.9% larger than aid received by Arcadia University students ($43,706 vs. $34,705).

Arcadia vs. Widener University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arcadia or Widener University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Widener University and Arcadia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Widener University (1190) is 20 points higher than at Arcadia (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arcadia University 1065/1265; Widener University 1080/1290.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arcadia - Test optional; Widener University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Widener University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Arcadia (3.42).
• Arcadia has a higher acceptance rate (80.2%) than Widener University (70.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.4% at Arcadia vs. 13.8% at Widener University.

Arcadia vs. Widener University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arcadia and Widener University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Arcadia University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Widener University's (54%).
• Graduates from Widener University earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than Arcadia graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Widener University and Arcadia graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Widener University and Arcadia graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Arcadia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Widener University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 68%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.