Widener University Acceptance Rate
Chester, Pennsylvania · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 7,167
- Admitted
- 6,022
- Yield
- 14.8%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Widener University's acceptance rate has risen from 65% in 2014–15 to 84% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 5,501 to 7,167 (+30%) over that period.
Its 84% rate makes Widener University more selective than about 33% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 108 tracked Pennsylvania schools, it is more selective than about 44%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (86.1% for women vs 81.2% for men, a 4.9-point gap). Widener University has been test-optional since 2020–21. Of admitted students, 14.8% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 5,501 | 3,576 | 65% | 737 |
| 2015–16 | 5,421 | 3,686 | 68% | 848 |
| 2016–17 | 5,176 | 3,609 | 69.7% | 730 |
| 2017–18 | 6,045 | 3,955 | 65.4% | 787 |
| 2018–19 | 6,422 | 4,444 | 69.2% | 775 |
| 2019–20 | 6,245 | 4,490 | 71.9% | 762 |
| 2020–21 | 5,739 | 4,280 | 74.6% | 600 |
| 2021–22 | 5,719 | 4,834 | 84.5% | 608 |
| 2022–23 | 5,961 | 5,227 | 87.7% | 536 |
| 2023–24 | 7,167 | 6,022 | 84% | 894 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 4,084 | 3,518 | 86.1% |
| Men | 3,083 | 2,504 | 81.2% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 530–640 | 11% |
| SAT Math | 520–620 |
How Widener University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Widener University's acceptance rate?
Widener University's acceptance rate is 84% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (6,022 admitted of 7,167 applicants).
Is Widener University test optional?
Widener University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Widener University?
Widener University received 7,167 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 6,022.
What SAT score do you need for Widener University?
Admitted students at Widener University typically scored 530–640 on SAT Reading/Writing and 520–620 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Widener University getting harder to get into?
Widener University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 65% in 2014–15 to 84% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: https://www.widener.edu/.