Biola University vs Widener
Biola University and Widener University, two distinct institutions of higher learning, offer unique educational experiences to their students. Biola, a private Christian university in La Mirada, California, boasts a strong acceptance rate of 75% and a student body that is predominantly female (60%). In contrast, Widener, a private university with campuses in Chester, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware, has a lower acceptance rate of 68% and a more balanced gender ratio. While Biola's popular majors include Biblical Studies, Psychology, and Business Administration, Widener's strengths lie in Engineering, Nursing, and Business. With graduation rates of 68% and 75% respectively, both universities demonstrate a commitment to student success. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details and discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Biola University |
![]() Widener University |
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Overview |
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Location | La Mirada, California | Chester, Pennsylvania |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 88.0% | 85.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Undenominational | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 60.8% | 84.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$45
Graduate:
$65
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$35 |
SAT range | 1103 - 1348 | 1080 - 1275 |
ACT range | 22 - 29 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 26.0% | 28.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 11.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 4,354 | 5,719 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,646 | 4,834 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 655 | 608 |
Yield rate | 24.8% | 12.6% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $59,500 | $61,748 |
Average net price | $29,123 | $25,343 |
Tuition | $44,382 | $48,724 |
Room & board | $10,202 |
Room/dormitory:
$7,748
Meal plan:
$7,060
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $28,421 |
100.0%
Average amount $32,036 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
47.0%
Average amount $4,897 |
75.0%
Average amount $5,440 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $15,279 |
24.0%
Average amount $12,154 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,596
Men 38.0% Women 62.0% |
2,766
Men 41.9% Women 58.1% |
Graduate students |
1,955
Men 54.5% Women 45.5% |
3,109
Men 28.1% Women 71.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 28.6% | 40.5% |
International students | 9.2% | 2.0% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,750 | 1,400 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Washington Oregon Texas Colorado | Pennsylvania New Jersey Maryland Delaware New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 69.9% | 68.4% |
Dropout rate | 6.1% | 7.7% |
Transferred out | 22.7% | 23.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Religious Education (Bachelor's Degrees)
Theological and Ministerial Studies (Master's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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