Chatham vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare Chatham University in Pittsburgh, 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 Chatham based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 2,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chatham University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• Chatham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chatham University 10:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

Chatham vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chatham 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 Wilkes University than Chatham ($28,511 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chatham University are 15.9% lower than at Wilkes University ($13,600 vs. $16,166).
• Chatham University is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wilkes (about $1,130 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $43,496.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at Chatham than at Wilkes University (about $1,130 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $43,496.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University as at Wilkes University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 6.3% larger than aid received by Wilkes University students ($30,095 vs. $28,324).

Chatham vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Chatham 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 Chatham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chatham University (1180) is 40 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming Chatham students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Wilkes (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 1070/1295; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 21/30; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chatham - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Wilkes (3.56).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Chatham vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Chatham vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chatham 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).

• Chatham University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $21,500 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($211 vs. $268).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chatham students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.