Widener University Pennsylvania

Widener University is a private research university in suburban Chester, Pennsylvania, that welcomes most applicants and serves about 5,600 students looking for a mid-sized campus experience.

College statistics

Address:
One University Place
Chester, PA
19013
Sector Group:
Private Not-for-Profit 4-Year or Above
Official Website:
https://www.widener.edu/
Setting:
Suburb
Research Activity Tier:
No research designation
Economic Mobility Index:
Lower Access, Higher Earnings
Primary Undergraduate Major:
Health Professions and Related Programs

Widener is a private, not-for-profit university with a doctoral research focus. It's located in Chester, just outside Philadelphia, giving students access to a major city while maintaining a suburban campus feel. The school serves a broad range of students and doesn't have a particularly selective admissions process—most people who apply get in.

About 5,610 students attend Widener. Tuition runs $53,638 per year, and with room and board, you're looking at a total cost of attendance around $72,466 annually. That's a significant investment, though the university has an endowment of about $112 million that helps fund financial aid and scholarships.

About 64% of students graduate within six years, which is solid but not exceptional—it suggests the school works best for students who are self-directed and clear about their goals. Widener admits about 84% of applicants, so it's accessible to a wide range of academic backgrounds. The school is best suited for students who want a research-oriented education in a smaller, more personal setting than a large state university, particularly those interested in engineering, business, or health professions.