Penn State Greater Allegheny vs. Widener University

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Greater Allegheny in McKeesport, 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 Greater Allegheny based on total student enrollment (5,713 students vs. 352 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Greater Allegheny is located in McKeesport, PA (Large Suburban setting); Widener University is in Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Penn State Greater Allegheny is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Widener University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Greater Allegheny 9:1; Widener University 11:1.

Penn State Greater Allegheny vs. Widener University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Greater Allegheny 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 Greater Allegheny than Widener University ($15,574 vs. $26,778).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Greater Allegheny 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 Greater Allegheny (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 Greater Allegheny (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 Greater Allegheny (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Widener University students is 293% larger than aid received by Penn State Greater Allegheny students ($43,706 vs. $11,121).

Penn State Greater Allegheny vs. Widener University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Greater Allegheny or Widener University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Widener University and Penn State Greater Allegheny.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Widener University (1190) is 10 points higher than at Penn State Greater Allegheny (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Penn State Greater Allegheny 1080/1280; Widener University 1080/1290.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Greater Allegheny - Test optional; Widener University - Test optional.
• Penn State Greater Allegheny has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Widener University (70.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Penn State Greater Allegheny vs. 13.8% at Widener University.

Penn State Greater Allegheny vs. Widener University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Greater Allegheny and Widener University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

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