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Colleges / Widener University

Widener University

Chester, PA 4-Year Private
Acceptance Rate88%

Widener University Tuition Information

In 2022, Widener University's tuition was $52,598 a year.

In 2023, tuition increased 3.9%–from $50,624 the prior year. Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this information makes going to college sound impossible, remember, the "sticker price" of tuition does not tell the full story. Many students owe a lot less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. And, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college feel more doable until you're done with college.

Widener University meets 77% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Widener University is around $450,259 a year.

Does Widener University Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Widener University is a private, nonprofit institution, which means it has the same tuition for residents of Pennsylvania as it does for residents from other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can save significant money on the total cost of attending college. Be sure to verify your state's eligibility criteria for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria too, depending on where you live.

Explore other Pennsylvania colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Widener University?

Tuition at Widener University is the same for all students.

International students usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may qualify for private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.


Widener University Living Expenses, Fees, and More


In addition to the cost of tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when budgeting for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Widener University.

Room and Board Costs at Widener University

Room and board at Widener University is $15,550 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that enables you to eat in the school dining halls.

Meal-plan costs can depend on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at Widener University

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

Most schools also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer resources so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these costs.

The Cost of Transportation at Widener University

The total cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your transportation budget. At Widener University, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area can be pricey, but there may be more buses, trains or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. Widener Universityis in a city in Pennsylvania, not far from Philadelphia.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, don’t forget to consider the cost of things like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.


The Full Cost of Attending Widener University


Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to Widener University.

How Much Does Widener University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Widener University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition $52,598
Room and Board $15,550
Board Only $8,766
Other expenses $1,295

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus $70,483
Off-Campus $63,700

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.


Widener University Financial Aid


The majority of Widener University undergrads use financial aid to help pay for school. In 2023, 1,728 of the 2,555 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Widener University meets 77% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $450,259 a year.

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Widener University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Widener University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Widener University awarded 1,633 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $58.2 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $13.92 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Widener University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Widener University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Widener University was $450,259 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Widener University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
Off-Campus $-386,559

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Widener University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Widener University's net cost calculator on their website.

Widener University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Widener University does not have guaranteed tuition.

Widener University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Widener University Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Widener University has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Widener University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of Widener University's endowment was $113.9 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021.


Learn More About Widener University


To learn more about Widener University, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about Widener University

Widener University Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$69,188

In State

$69,188

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$52,598
$52,598
Fees
$1,040
$1,040
Housing
$15,550
$15,550
Books
Unknown
Unknown

Widener University Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

70%

Average Financial Aid Package

$39,640

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

5,416

Campus Setting

Urban

Acceptance Rate

88%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$53,638

Out-of-State

$53,638

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Continuous processing
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