Academic Comparison between Penn State Harrisburg and Widener

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg and Widener University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Penn State Harrisburg is a four-year, public school located in Middletown, 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 Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg ($26,958).
  • It is harder to admit to Widener than Penn State Harrisburg.
  • Penn State Harrisburg has a higher submitted SAT score (1,220) than Widener (1,180).
  • Widener has more students with 5,713 students while Penn State Harrisburg has 4,478 students.
  • Widener has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while Penn State Harrisburg's ratio is 15 to 1.
  • Widener has more full-time faculties with 276 faculties while Penn State Harrisburg has 246 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburgvs.Widener University
Middletown, PennsylvaniaLocationChester, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Carnegie ClassificationDoctoral / Research University
In-State$15,972
Out-Of-State$26,958
2025 Tuition & Fees$55,730
63%% Receiving Financial Aid93%
$10,737Average Amount of Financial Aid$40,208
97.60 %Acceptance Rates70.93 %
11.24 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)13.81 %
1,220SAT Score1,180
27ACT Score-
26 %Graduation Rate68 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
82 %Retention Rate78 %
4,478Student Population5,713
246Number of Faculties276
15 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