Penn State Harrisburg vs. Widener University

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Harrisburg in Middletown, 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 Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (5,713 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Penn State Harrisburg vs. Widener University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg than Widener University ($23,788 vs. $26,778).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg (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 Harrisburg (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 Harrisburg (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Widener University students is 372.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($43,706 vs. $9,245).

Penn State Harrisburg vs. Widener University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 30 points higher than at Widener University (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310; Widener University 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional; Widener University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Widener University (3.46).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than Widener University (70.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg vs. 13.8% at Widener University.

Penn State Harrisburg vs. Widener University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Widener University's (54%).
• Graduates from Widener University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Widener University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Harrisburg graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Widener University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Harrisburg 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.