Widener University vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

Compare Widener University in Chester, PA with Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Widener University is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (5,713 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Widener University is located in Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Widener University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Widener University 11:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

Widener University vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Widener University or VMI? 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 Virginia Military Institute than Widener University ($18,825 vs. $26,778).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 31.6% lower than at Widener University ($11,310 vs. $16,530).
• Widener University is 164.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than VMI (about $34,684 more per year; $55,730.00 vs. $21,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.9% higher at Widener University than at Virginia Military Institute (about $3,092 more per year; $55,730.00 vs. $52,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Widener University than at Virginia Military Institute (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Widener University students is 83.5% larger than aid received by Virginia Military Institute students ($43,706 vs. $23,821).

Widener University vs. VMI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Widener University (1190) is 30 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Widener University 1080/1290; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Widener University - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Widener University (3.46).
• VMI has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than Widener University (70.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at Widener University vs. 31.7% at VMI.

Widener University vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Widener University and VMI? 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).

• Virginia Military Institute's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Widener University's (54%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Widener University graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Military Institute graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Widener University graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, VMI graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Widener University graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Widener University students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.