Widener University

One University Place, Chester, PA 19013-5792

Private not-for-profit 4-year

The BSW Program at Widener University

Widener University awarded 10 bachelor's degrees in social work in the most recent reporting year, ranking #433 of the 587 colleges nationally that offer the degree. This is a small program, which cuts both ways: cohorts are tight and faculty access is easy, but course rotations can be less frequent and specialization options narrower than at a larger school.

61.7% of students here finish their degree, against a national median of 50.4% across the BSW colleges in this directory — a meaningful margin. Students who finish take a median of 5 years to do it.

The average student pays $26,778 a year after grants and scholarships — $2,058 above the $24,721 median across the 35 BSW colleges in Pennsylvania. 47.0% of first-time students receive Pell Grants, a high share that usually reflects a student body with substantial financial need — and a financial aid office practiced at handling it. Net price is the number that matters when comparing programs, not sticker tuition — and because most social work roles are with government or nonprofit employers, graduates are typically eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Figures from IPEDS, U.S. Department of Education. Completion and net-price comparisons are against the 618 BSW-awarding colleges in this directory.

Key Statistics

5,713
Total Students
2,975
Undergraduates
11:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
N/A
Campus Housing

Can I get in?

Admissions

71%
Acceptance Rate
6,632 admitted out of 9,350 applicants

Admissions Requirements

High School GPA: Required
School Record: Required
Test Scores: Considered
Recommendations: Considered
College Prep: Considered

SAT Scores (25th-75th Percentile)

Reading & Writing
550 - 650
Math
530 - 640
9% of first-time students submitted SAT scores

ACT Scores (25th-75th Percentile)

Can I afford it?

Tuition & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees (2024-2025)

In/Out-of-State
$53,638

Living Arrangements

Living cost information not available

Financial Aid

$26,778
Average Net Price
After grants and scholarships

Net Price by Family Income

Family Income Net Price
$0 - $30,000 $21,200
$30,001 - $48,000 $22,275
$48,001 - $75,000 $22,514
$75,001 - $110,000 $25,900
$110,001+ $32,296
47%
Receive Pell Grants
72%
Students Borrowing
$6,705
Avg. Loan Amount

Will I graduate?

Student Outcomes

Completion Rates

62%
Overall
60%
Full-Time
63%
Part-Time
65%
First-Time Students
63%
Transfer Students
20%
Transfer Out

Time to Degree

4-Year Completion 56%
6-Year Completion 60%
8-Year Completion 62%
Median Time to Degree: 5 years

What's the campus like?

Student Demographics

Undergraduate Gender

Male
34.7%
Female
65.3%

Distance Education

Exclusively Distance
19.1%
Some Distance
25.3%
No Distance
55.6%

Graduate Distance Education

Exclusively Distance
7.2%
Some Distance
31.1%
No Distance
61.7%

Undergraduate Race/Ethnicity

White
55.2%
Black or African American
22.7%
Hispanic/Latino
9.3%
Asian
4%
American Indian/Alaska Native
0.2%
Two or More Races
2.1%
Non-Resident Alien
2%
Unknown
4.4%

Degrees & Awards Offered

Bachelor's Degree

Contact Information

Phone
6104994000
Address
One University Place, Chester, PA 19013-5792
IPEDS ID
216852

Where a BSW Leads

Graduates of undefined and other CSWE-accredited BSW programs work across six main practice areas, and pay differs between them by more than most prospective students expect. Each guide below carries the full BLS percentile spread, pay by work setting, and pay by state. Figures are May 2025 medians.

Not sure which fits? Start with the career and salary overview or the is social work for me self-assessment.