Westminster College vs. Widener University

Comparable Facts

Compare Westminster College in New Wilmington, 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 Westminster College based on total student enrollment (5,713 students vs. 1,191 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Westminster College is located in New Wilmington, PA (Town Fringe setting); Widener University is in Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Westminster College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Widener University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Westminster College 12:1; Widener University 11:1.

Westminster College vs. Widener University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Westminster College 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 Westminster College than Widener University ($20,394 vs. $26,778).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westminster College are 22.1% lower than at Widener University ($12,880 vs. $16,530).
• Widener University is 38.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Westminster College (about $15,440 more per year; $55,730.00 vs. $40,290.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.3% higher at Widener University than at Westminster College (about $15,440 more per year; $55,730.00 vs. $40,290.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Westminster College as at Widener University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Widener University students is 34.3% larger than aid received by Westminster College students ($43,706 vs. $32,553).

Westminster College vs. Widener University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Westminster College 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 Westminster College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Widener University (1190) is 40 points higher than at Westminster College (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westminster College 1040/1258; Widener University 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westminster College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Westminster College - Test-free; Widener University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Westminster College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Widener University (3.46).
• Westminster College has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Widener University (70.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Westminster College vs. 13.8% at Widener University.

Westminster College vs. Widener University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Westminster College 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).

• Westminster College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Widener University's (54%).
• Graduates from Widener University earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than Westminster College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Widener University and Westminster College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Widener University and Westminster College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Westminster College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Widener University students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.