Penn State Brandywine vs. Widener University

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Brandywine in Media, 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 Brandywine based on total student enrollment (5,713 students vs. 1,236 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Brandywine is located in Media, PA (Large Suburban setting); Widener University is in Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Penn State Brandywine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Widener University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Brandywine 15:1; Widener University 11:1.

Penn State Brandywine vs. Widener University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Brandywine 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 Brandywine than Widener University ($22,710 vs. $26,778).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Brandywine are 12.4% lower than at Widener University ($14,474 vs. $16,530).
• Widener University is 266.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Brandywine (about $40,522 more per year; $55,730.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 119.5% higher at Widener University than at Penn State Brandywine (about $30,338 more per year; $55,730.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Widener University than at Penn State Brandywine (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Widener University students is 379.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Brandywine students ($43,706 vs. $9,113).

Penn State Brandywine vs. Widener University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Brandywine (1200) is 10 points higher than at Widener University (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Brandywine 1080/1310; Widener University 1080/1290.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Brandywine - Test optional; Widener University - Test optional.
• Penn State Brandywine has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Widener University (70.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at Penn State Brandywine vs. 13.8% at Widener University.

Penn State Brandywine vs. Widener University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Brandywine 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 Brandywine's (37%).
• Graduates from Widener University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Penn State Brandywine 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 Brandywine graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Widener University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Brandywine graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Widener University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Brandywine 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.