Academic Comparison between Penn State Behrend and Widener

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College and Widener University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Penn State Behrend is a four-year, public school located in Erie, PA and Widener is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Chester, PA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Penn State Behrend is a public and Widener is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Widener has more expensive tuition & fees ($55,730) than Penn State Behrend ($26,958).
  • It is harder to admit to Widener than Penn State Behrend.
  • Penn State Behrend has a higher submitted SAT score (1,220) than Widener (1,180).
  • Widener has more students with 5,713 students while Penn State Behrend has 3,336 students.
  • Widener has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while Penn State Behrend's ratio is 12 to 1.
  • Widener has more full-time faculties with 276 faculties while Penn State Behrend has 256 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Penn State Behrend Widener
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend Collegevs.Widener University
Erie, PennsylvaniaLocationChester, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Carnegie ClassificationDoctoral / Research University
In-State$15,972
Out-Of-State$26,958
2025 Tuition & Fees$55,730
74%% Receiving Financial Aid93%
$11,249Average Amount of Financial Aid$40,208
96.83 %Acceptance Rates70.93 %
14.52 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)13.81 %
1,220SAT Score1,180
27ACT Score-
44 %Graduation Rate68 %
24 %Transfer-out Rate-
83 %Retention Rate78 %
3,336Student Population5,713
256Number of Faculties276
12 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio11 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services