Academic Comparison between WCU and Widener

West Chester University of Pennsylvania and Widener University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. WCU is a four-year, public school located in West Chester, 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.

  • WCU 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 WCU ($22,599).
  • It is harder to admit to Widener than WCU.
  • Both WCU and Widener have the same submitted SAT scores (1,180).
  • WCU has more students with 17,171 students while Widener has 5,713 students.
  • Widener has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while WCU's ratio is 20 to 1.
  • WCU has more full-time faculties with 661 faculties while Widener has 276 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

West Chester University of Pennsylvaniavs.Widener University
West Chester, PennsylvaniaLocationChester, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationDoctoral / Research University
In-State$10,775
Out-Of-State$22,599
2025 Tuition & Fees$55,730
61%% Receiving Financial Aid93%
$6,081Average Amount of Financial Aid$40,208
78.40 %Acceptance Rates70.93 %
22.42 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)13.81 %
1,180SAT Score1,180
27ACT Score-
71 %Graduation Rate68 %
17 %Transfer-out Rate-
83 %Retention Rate78 %
17,171Student Population5,713
661Number of Faculties276
20 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio11 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, 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