Penn State New Kensington vs. Widener University

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State New Kensington in New Kensington, 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 New Kensington based on total student enrollment (5,713 students vs. 421 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Penn State New Kensington vs. Widener University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington than Widener University ($19,504 vs. $26,778).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State New Kensington are 7.6% lower than at Widener University ($15,274 vs. $16,530).
• Widener University is 286.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State New Kensington (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 New Kensington (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 New Kensington (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Widener University students is 459.7% larger than aid received by Penn State New Kensington students ($43,706 vs. $7,809).

Penn State New Kensington vs. Widener University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State New Kensington (1190) is the same as at Widener University (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State New Kensington 1110/1265; Widener University 1080/1290.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State New Kensington - Test optional; Widener University - Test optional.
• Penn State New Kensington has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than Widener University (70.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22% at Penn State New Kensington vs. 13.8% at Widener University.

Penn State New Kensington vs. Widener University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington's (40%).
• Graduates from Widener University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Widener University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State New Kensington graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Widener University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State New Kensington 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.