Penn State York vs. Widener University

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State York in York, 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 York based on total student enrollment (5,713 students vs. 677 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Penn State York vs. Widener University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State York 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 York than Widener University ($18,887 vs. $26,778).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State York 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 York (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 York (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 York (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Widener University students is 399.2% larger than aid received by Penn State York students ($43,706 vs. $8,756).

Penn State York vs. Widener University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Widener University (1190) is 40 points higher than at Penn State York (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State York 1050/1245; Widener University 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State York 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State York - Test optional; Widener University - Test optional.
• Penn State York has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Widener University (70.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.7% at Penn State York vs. 13.8% at Widener University.

Penn State York vs. Widener University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State York 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 York's (45%).
• Graduates from Widener University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Penn State York 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 York graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Widener University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State York graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Widener University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State York 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.