Widener University vs. Roanoke College

Comparable Facts

Compare Widener University in Chester, PA with Roanoke College in Salem, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Widener University is larger than Roanoke College based on total student enrollment (5,713 students vs. 1,804 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Widener University is located in Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting); Roanoke College is in Salem, VA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Widener University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Roanoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Widener University 11:1; Roanoke College 11:1.

Widener University vs. Roanoke College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Widener University or Roanoke College? 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 Roanoke College than Widener University ($26,044 vs. $26,778).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Roanoke College are 7% lower than at Widener University ($15,366 vs. $16,530).
• Widener University is 46.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Roanoke College (about $17,662 more per year; $55,730.00 vs. $38,068.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.4% higher at Widener University than at Roanoke College (about $17,662 more per year; $55,730.00 vs. $38,068.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Widener University as at Roanoke College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Widener University students is 55.1% larger than aid received by Roanoke College students ($43,706 vs. $28,188).

Widener University vs. Roanoke College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Widener University or Roanoke College? 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 Roanoke College and Widener University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Roanoke College (1200) is 10 points higher than at Widener University (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Widener University 1080/1290; Roanoke College 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRoanoke College 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Widener University - Test optional; Roanoke College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Roanoke College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Widener University (3.46).
• Roanoke College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Widener University (70.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at Widener University vs. 9.7% at Roanoke College.

Widener University vs. Roanoke College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Widener University and Roanoke College? 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).

• Roanoke College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Widener University's (54%).
• Graduates from Widener University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Roanoke College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Roanoke College and Widener University graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Roanoke College and Widener University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Roanoke College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Widener University students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.