Cedar Crest College vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA with Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wilkes University is larger than Cedar Crest College based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 1,290 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cedar Crest College is located in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• Cedar Crest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cedar Crest College 9:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

Cedar Crest College vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cedar Crest College or Wilkes? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cedar Crest College than Wilkes ($23,691 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cedar Crest College are 17.1% lower than at Wilkes University ($13,406 vs. $16,166).
• Cedar Crest College is 6.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wilkes (about $2,818 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $43,496.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at Cedar Crest College than at Wilkes University (about $2,818 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $43,496.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at Cedar Crest College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cedar Crest College students is 17.6% larger than aid received by Wilkes University students ($33,323 vs. $28,324).

Cedar Crest College vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cedar Crest College or Wilkes? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Wilkes and Cedar Crest College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wilkes University (1140) is 20 points higher than at Cedar Crest College (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cedar Crest College 1000/1230; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cedar Crest College - Test-free; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Cedar Crest College (3.42).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Cedar Crest College (84.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Cedar Crest College vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Cedar Crest College vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cedar Crest College and Wilkes? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Wilkes University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Cedar Crest College's (50%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than Cedar Crest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $47,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilkes University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Cedar Crest College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,750).
• Among borrowers, Wilkes graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cedar Crest College graduates ($268 vs. $286).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cedar Crest College students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.