Penn State Altoona vs. Widener University

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Altoona in Altoona, 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 Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (5,713 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Altoona is located in Altoona, PA (Small City setting); Widener University is in Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Widener University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Altoona 13:1; Widener University 11:1.

Penn State Altoona vs. Widener University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Altoona 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 Penn State Altoona than Widener University ($21,618 vs. $26,778).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 12.4% lower than at Widener University ($14,474 vs. $16,530).
• Widener University is 248.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Altoona (about $39,758 more per year; $55,730.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 106.7% higher at Widener University than at Penn State Altoona (about $28,772 more per year; $55,730.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Widener University than at Penn State Altoona (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Widener University students is 294.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Altoona students ($43,706 vs. $11,088).

Penn State Altoona vs. Widener University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Altoona 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 Penn State Altoona.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Widener University (1190) is 10 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 1070/1290; Widener University 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Altoona - Test optional; Widener University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Widener University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Widener University (70.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Penn State Altoona vs. 13.8% at Widener University.

Penn State Altoona vs. Widener University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Altoona 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).

• Penn State Altoona's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Widener University's (54%).
• Graduates from Widener University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Widener University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Altoona graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Widener University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Altoona 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.