Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Widener University is a private national university located in Chester, Pennsylvania. Widener University is very inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Widener University is in the top 50% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $62,030 10 years after enrolling, 23rd in Pennsylvania, and in the top 25% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Widener University bachelor students earn 6% more than the national average. Widener University is ranked 39th in Pennsylvania.
Widener University’s median net annual cost of $31,792 and average years to graduate of 4.3 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Widener University sorted by number of graduates - Registered Nursing, Psychology, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other, Medical Assisting Services - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$31,792
Average years to graduate
4.3
Biology
Rank: #19
Economic score: 2.06
Chemical Engineering
Rank: #128
Economic score: 2.92
Criminal Justice
Rank: #81
Economic score: 3.25
Civil Engineering
Rank: #196
Economic score: 3.92
Hospitality Mgmt.
Rank: #72
Economic score: 4.83
Education
Rank: #167
Economic score: 4.99
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Rank: #100
Economic score: 6.58
Finance
Rank: #340
Economic score: 6.82
Business Administration
Rank: #805
Economic score: 12.04
Social Work
Rank: #261
Economic score: 15.97
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at Widener University - Social Work, Registered Nursing, Business Administration, Legal Research, Health Administrative Services, Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Business and Commerce
Rank: #65
Economic score: 1.13
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.3 years. 65% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at Widener University is 1% lower than the state average, and 2% below the average for all national universities in the country.
At Widener University, Pell Grant recipients represent 20% of the measured graduating class, 15% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Widener University graduates within 4.3 years.
Widener University is in the bottom 25% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Widener University’s economic mobility score of 8.56 is calculated by adjusting the 4.26 economic score of lower-income students by the 20% pell grant recipients within the student body. Widener University’s EMS of 8.56 ranks in the bottom 25% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Bottom 25%
The average Title IV recipient at Widener University pays $31,792 a year, $33,598 less than the $65,390 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $31,792
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Widener University, 100% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $31,792 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 77% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $9,191. This is 23% more than the national average.
Federal grants
$5,440
Pell grants
$4,590
State grants
$3,884
Institutional grants
$30,000
Widener University offers 1 hybrid bachelor program. At the master’s level Widener University offers 3 programs, all of which are hybrid format. We use the IPEDS July '20 — July '21 Distance Education report to determine which programs are online. EarningsPlus data is provided when available.
Online programs
4
Hybrid programs
4
Percentage of programs online
3%
Widener University's very inclusive admissions are indicated by their 85% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 5,719 applicants, of which 4,834 were admitted and 608 enrolled. Widener University has a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed as they arrive until all spaces are filled.
Full time
91%
83%
Female
61%
59%
First time
73%
59%
In-state
55%
68%
1st generation
30%
35%
White
71%
52%
Black
13%
14%
Hispanic
6%
15%
Asian
3%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
7%
12%