Penn State Beaver vs. Widener University

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Beaver in Monaca, 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 Beaver based on total student enrollment (5,713 students vs. 482 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Beaver is located in Monaca, PA (Large Suburban setting); Widener University is in Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Penn State Beaver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Widener University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Beaver 12:1; Widener University 11:1.

Penn State Beaver vs. Widener University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Beaver 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 Beaver than Widener University ($18,581 vs. $26,778).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Beaver are 12.4% lower than at Widener University ($14,474 vs. $16,530).
• Widener University is 286.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Beaver (about $41,322 more per year; $55,730.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 130.9% higher at Widener University than at Penn State Beaver (about $31,596 more per year; $55,730.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Widener University than at Penn State Beaver (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Widener University students is 383.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Beaver students ($43,706 vs. $9,045).

Penn State Beaver vs. Widener University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Beaver (1190) is the same as at Widener University (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Beaver 1080/1290; Widener University 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Beaver 24/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Beaver - Test optional; Widener University - Test optional.
• Penn State Beaver has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than Widener University (70.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Penn State Beaver vs. 13.8% at Widener University.

Penn State Beaver vs. Widener University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Beaver 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).

• Widener University's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Penn State Beaver's (47%).
• Graduates from Widener University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Penn State Beaver 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 Beaver graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Widener University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Beaver graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Widener University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Beaver 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.