Admissions
Getting in, fall 2024
Widener admits about 7 in 10 applicants (71%). That puts it in the "Accessible" tier, more selective than 62% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
No application fee
Grants credit for AP exams
Men and women
Men were admitted at 65%, women at 75%.
Where applicants live
Pennsylvania applicants were admitted at 89%, applicants from other states at 92%, and international applicants at 50%.
Of those admitted, 17% from Pennsylvania enrolled, against 14% from other states and 2.6% from abroad.
Counted by where applicants lived when they applied, which can differ from who qualifies for in-state tuition. A group's rate reflects who applies from there as well as how the college chooses.
Yield
14% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.
Uses a wait list; numbers not published
Applying early
Offers early decision. The college doesn't publish how many apply or are admitted early.
Early decision is binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll. Recruited athletes and other applicants with an edge often apply early, so the early rate overstates the gain for a typical applicant.
Restrictive early action (not binding): apply by Nov 1; decisions by Nov 25
Restrictive early action: applicants agree not to apply to other colleges' early plans, with exceptions the college sets.
Where you stand
How Widener reads a record
and GPA are both very important. 40% of first-years had a 3.75 or higher. Scores are recommended. 9% of first-years sent an SAT and 0% an ACT. Most high schools no longer rank; this college doesn't lean on it.
What they look at
- High school GPA
- Required
- High school record
- Required
- Class rank
- Not considered
- College-prep program
- Considered
- Recommendations
- Considered
- Essay
- Not considered
- Legacy status
- Not considered
- Work experience
- Not considered
- Demonstration of competencies
- Not considered
- English proficiency test
- Required
- Other tests
- Not considered
Transferring in
53% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 71% of first-year applicants
829 applied · 438 admitted
Transfers may start in the fall, spring, and summer.
At least 12 credits completed to apply as a transfer.
Minimum college GPA: 2.0
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: decisions on a rolling basis
- Spring entry: decisions on a rolling basis
- Summer entry: decisions on a rolling basis
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Recommended for some
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Recommended for some
- Interview
- Recommended for some
- Standardized test scores
- Recommended for some
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Recommended for some
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Decisions are sent on a rolling basis starting October 1.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1, or within 2 weeks if admitted later.
- $400 housing deposit, due May 1, non-refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 1 year.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2023 first-years
First-years' high school GPA
Average GPA 3.45
High schools grade differently, and colleges recalculate or weight GPAs their own way, so compare this college only with itself.
First-years by high school GPA (4.0 scale)
- 4.021%
- 3.75–3.9919%
- 3.50–3.7416%
- 3.25–3.4912%
- 3.00–3.2412%
- below 3.020%
The middle half had GPAs of 3.00–3.99.
All nine bands
| GPA | All |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 21.0% |
| 3.75–3.99 | 19.0% |
| 3.50–3.74 | 16.0% |
| 3.25–3.49 | 12.0% |
| 3.00–3.24 | 12.0% |
| 2.50–2.99 | 11.0% |
| 2.0–2.49 | 9.0% |
| 1.0–1.99 | 0.0% |
| below 1.0 | 0.0% |
Source:Widener University Common Data Set 2023–24, Fall 2023About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1185 on the SAT, 15 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Recommended
Scores are recommended, not required. For students entering in fall 2025.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
submitted ACT
Read with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Widener University Common Data Set 2023–24, Fall 2025 applicants;Widener University Common Data Set 2023–24, Fall 2023;Widener University Common Data Set 2023–24, 2023–24;Widener University Common Data Set 2023–24, Fall 2024 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)