Chatham vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Comparable Facts

Compare Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA with Penn State Wilkes Barre in Dallas, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Chatham University is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (2,309 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chatham University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Penn State Wilkes Barre is in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Chatham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Wilkes Barre is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chatham University 10:1; Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1.

Chatham vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chatham or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Penn State Wilkes Barre than Chatham ($16,621 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chatham University are 11% lower than at Penn State Wilkes Barre ($13,600 vs. $15,274).
• Chatham University is 212.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $30,346 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.9% higher at Chatham than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $20,620 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 208.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($30,095 vs. $9,742).

Chatham vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Chatham or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Penn State Wilkes-Barre and Chatham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Wilkes Barre (1210) is 30 points higher than at Chatham (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 1070/1295; Penn State Wilkes Barre 1090/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 21/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chatham - Test optional; Penn State Wilkes-Barre - Test optional.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Chatham vs. 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

Chatham vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chatham and Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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).

• Chatham University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Penn State Wilkes Barre's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Wilkes Barre earn a median of about $18,600 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $6,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates ($211 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chatham students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

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.