- Photos
-
-
_
U.S. News Rankings
| Ranking score and category | |||||
|
|||||
Summary
Widener University is a private institution that was founded in 1821. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,347, its setting is city, and the campus size is 108 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Widener University's ranking in the 2013 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 189. Its tuition and fees are $36,382 (2012-13).
Widener University is located in Chester, Pa., about 15 miles south of Philadelphia. The school began as a preparatory school for boys in 1821, became a military academy a few decades later, and is now a coed university with more than 40 undergraduate programs. Students at Widener University can also pursue more than 30 master’s degree programs, including business, law, and education. Part of Widener University’s mission is to help the local community, so each year, many Widener students tutor and mentor local children, build houses, donate blood, and help low-income Chester residents with their taxes.
At Widener University, students can get involved in more than 80 campus clubs, pledge with about 10 fraternities and sororities, and play intramural sports. More serious athletes can join the Widener Pride athletic teams, which compete in the NCAA Division III Middle Atlantic Conference. Notable Widener University alumni include esteemed director Cecil B. DeMille, whose films include The Ten Commandments and Cleopatra.
| School mission and unique qualities (as provided by the school): | |
|
As a leading metropolitan university, we achieve our mission at Widener by creating a learning environment where curricula are connected to societal issues through civic engagement. We lead by providing a unique combination of liberal arts and professional education in a challenging, scholarly, and culturally diverse academic community. We engage our students through dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, and experiential learning. We inspire our students to be citizens of character who demonstrate professional and civic leadership. We contribute to the vitality and well-being of the communities we serve. As a multicampus, independent university, Widener offers programs of study at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The university embraces the sciences and liberal arts as the essential foundation for all baccalaureate education and is dedicated to the integration of liberal and professional studies. Graduate offerings are focused on applied, clinical and professional programs. As a metropolitan university, Widener is committed to serving the educational needs of its communities, and is known for academic innovation and program development. |
General Information
| School type | private, coed college |
| Year founded | 1821 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | semester |
| Setting | city |
| 2011 Endowment | $78,927,596 |
Applying
When applying to Widener University, it's important to note the application deadline is rolling. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due February 15. The application fee at Widener University is $35. It is selective, with an acceptance rate of 66.3 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | selective |
| Fall 2011 acceptance rate | 66.3% |
| Application deadline | rolling |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | February 15 |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at Widener University is 12:1, and the school has 59.6 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Widener University include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Health Professions and Related Programs; Engineering; Psychology; and Education. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 72.2 percent.
Student Life
Widener University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,347, with a gender distribution of 44.1 percent male students and 55.9 percent female students. At this school, 50.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 50.0 percent of students live off campus. Widener University is part of the NCAA III athletic conference.
| Total enrollment | 6,464 |
| Student gender distribution | |
|
|
|
| Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity | |
|
|
|
| Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority | |
|
|
|
| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA III |
Campus Info & Services
Widener University offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, placement service, day care, health service, and health insurance. Widener University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at Widener University, 60 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at Widener University.
| Students who have cars on campus | 60% |
| Health insurance offered | Yes |
| Students required to own/lease a computer | No |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
At Widener University, 82.0 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $8,790.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.
| Tuition and fees | $36,382 (2012-13) |
| Room and board | $12,248 (2012-13) |
| Financial aid statistics | |
|
|
|
* Overview details based on 2011 data
