Academic Comparison between Widener and Penn State Altoona

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

  • Widener is a private (not-for-profit) and Penn State Altoona is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Widener has more expensive tuition & fees ($55,730) than Penn State Altoona ($26,958).
  • It is harder to admit to Widener than Penn State Altoona.
  • Both Widener and Penn State Altoona have the same submitted SAT scores (1,180).
  • Widener has more students with 5,713 students while Penn State Altoona has 2,371 students.
  • Widener has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while Penn State Altoona's ratio is 13 to 1.
  • Widener has more full-time faculties with 276 faculties while Penn State Altoona has 177 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Widener Universityvs.Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona
Chester, PennsylvaniaLocationAltoona, Pennsylvania
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Doctoral / Research UniversityCarnegie Classification
$55,7302025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$15,972
Out-Of-State$26,958
93%% Receiving Financial Aid73%
$40,208Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,865
70.93 %Acceptance Rates98.06 %
13.81 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)10.26 %
1,180SAT Score1,180
-ACT Score26
68 %Graduation Rate17 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
78 %Retention Rate80 %
5,713Student Population2,371
276Number of Faculties177
11 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services