Academic Comparison between Widener and Penn State Harrisburg

Widener University and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg is a four-year, public school located in Middletown, 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 Harrisburg is a public 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 (1,180) 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

Widener Universityvs.Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg
Chester, PennsylvaniaLocationMiddletown, Pennsylvania
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Doctoral / Research UniversityCarnegie Classification
$55,7302025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$15,972
Out-Of-State$26,958
93%% Receiving Financial Aid63%
$40,208Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,737
70.93 %Acceptance Rates97.60 %
13.81 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)11.24 %
1,180SAT Score1,220
-ACT Score27
68 %Graduation Rate26 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
78 %Retention Rate82 %
5,713Student Population4,478
276Number of Faculties246
11 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio15 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 services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services