Penn State Lehigh Valley vs. Widener University

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Lehigh Valley in Center Valley, 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 Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (5,713 students vs. 867 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Lehigh Valley is located in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting); Widener University is in Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Widener University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Lehigh Valley 14:1; Widener University 11:1.

Penn State Lehigh Valley vs. Widener University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Lehigh Valley 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 Lehigh Valley than Widener University ($19,066 vs. $26,778).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Lehigh Valley are 7.6% lower than at Widener University ($15,274 vs. $16,530).
• Widener University is 266.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Lehigh Valley (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 Lehigh Valley (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 Lehigh Valley (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Widener University students is 382.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($43,706 vs. $9,065).

Penn State Lehigh Valley vs. Widener University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Lehigh Valley 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 Lehigh Valley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1230) is 40 points higher than at Widener University (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Lehigh Valley 1130/1320; Widener University 1080/1290.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Lehigh Valley - Test optional; Widener University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Widener University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Penn State Lehigh Valley (3.42).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Widener University (70.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley vs. 13.8% at Widener University.

Penn State Lehigh Valley vs. Widener University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Lehigh Valley 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 Lehigh Valley's (47%).
• Graduates from Widener University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Penn State Lehigh Valley 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 Lehigh Valley graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Widener University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Widener University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Lehigh Valley 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.