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Widener University

Chester, PA·Private·https://www.widener.edu/

Campus Identity

NCAA D3PhD Programs

Widener University is a small private nonprofit university in Chester, PA. Approximately 2,951 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 71% acceptance rate. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 47/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Widener University is a small private nonprofit university in Chester, PA. Approximately 2,951 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 71% acceptance rate. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 47/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

71%
Acceptance Rate
9,350 applications
N/A
ACT Score (50th %ile)
$55,730
2024-25 Tuition
$25,759
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$16,530
Room & Board
2,951
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
14%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
68%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity71% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

550600650

SAT Math

530580640

Campus Lifestyle

Widener University is a 5,000–9,999, suburban school with NCAA D3 athletics. The campus is 60 miles from Atlantic City, NJ and 29 miles from Spring Mountain Ski Area.

Athletics

NCAA D3

Middle Atlantic Commonwealth

School Size & Setting

5,000–9,999

Suburban setting

Beach Access

60 miles

Atlantic City, NJ

Weather

Warm Climate

50°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Widener University students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Spring Mountain Ski Area, 29 miles away with 6 lifts and 45 skiable acres. All are within 65 miles of campus.

Spring Mountain Ski Area

Pennsylvania

29 mi away
45 skiable acres6 lifts
45 mi away
86 skiable acres6 lifts
65 mi away
171 skiable acres16 liftsNo Waffle Cabin

Nearest Beach

Students at Widener University are 60 miles from Atlantic City, NJ.

Atlantic City, NJ

Ocean access within 60.4 miles

60 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Chester, PA

Chester has a mild climate, with winters averaging 35°F in Jan and summers peaking around 80°F in Jul.

35°Jan37°Feb44°Mar55°Apr65°May74°Jun80°Jul78°Aug71°Sep59°Oct49°Nov40°Dec

Station: MARCUS HOOK · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

Widener University in PA earns a composite safety score of 47/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

47/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety445246
44/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
52/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
46/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$55,730
Fees
$982
Room & Board
$16,530
Total
$73,242
$25,759avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

150 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

LawProfessional
263 grads/yr$83,799
Social WorkMaster's
236 grads/yr$67,786
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBachelor's
201 grads/yr$98,272
Business Administration, Management and OperationsMaster's
72 grads/yr$103,770
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsProfessional
68 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Master's29 grads$124,483
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Master's72 grads$103,770
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies
Master's27 grads$100,397
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services
Bachelor's4 grads$98,777
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
Master's29 grads$98,402
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Bachelor's201 grads$98,272
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
Master's grads$98,251
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
Doctoral$96,854
Computer Science
Bachelor's14 grads$96,427
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
Bachelor's10 grads$95,901

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Widener University located?

Widener University is located in Chester, PA. The main campus address is One University Place, Chester, PA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Widener University?

Widener University has an acceptance rate of 71%, making it moderately selective. Out of 9,350 applicants, 6,632 were admitted in the most recent year. 2,951 students enrolled.

How much does it cost to attend Widener University?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Widener University charges $55,730/year in tuition. Including room and board ($16,530/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $49,706/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $25,759/year — what students actually pay. Use Widener University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

Does Widener University have college sports?

Yes — Widener University competes at the NCAA D3 level in the Middle Atlantic Commonwealth. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.

Is Widener University the right fit for me?

Whether Widener University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (71% admit rate), avg net price ($25,759/year after aid), campus culture in Chester, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Widener University against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Widener University directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Chester, PA
Size
5,000–9,999
Degrees Offered
Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, Certificates
NCAA
NCAA D3
Conference
Middle Atlantic Commonwealth
School Year Weather
Warm · 50°F avg
On Campus Safety Score
47/100
Nearest Airport
Philadelphia, PA (PHL) · 6 mialso ILG (18 mi), PNE (24 mi)

Location

Chester, PA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.