Staten Island vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Staten Island CUNY in Staten Island, NY with Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Staten Island CUNY is larger than Wilkes based on total student enrollment (11,033 students vs. 5,381 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Staten Island CUNY is located in Staten Island, NY (Large City setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• College of Staten Island CUNY is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Staten Island CUNY 17:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

Staten Island vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Staten Island 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 College of Staten Island CUNY than Wilkes ($6,525 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilkes University are 23.6% lower than at College of Staten Island CUNY ($16,166 vs. $21,155).
• Wilkes University is 480.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Staten Island (about $36,006 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $7,490.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 181.7% higher at Wilkes than at College of Staten Island CUNY (about $28,056 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $15,440.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at College of Staten Island CUNY (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 232.2% larger than aid received by College of Staten Island CUNY students ($28,324 vs. $8,526).

Staten Island vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Staten Island 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 Staten Island.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wilkes University (1140) is 70 points higher than at Staten Island (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Staten Island CUNY 890/1250; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Staten Island - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Staten Island (3.0).
• Staten Island has a higher acceptance rate (92.3%) than Wilkes (90.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at Staten Island vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Staten Island vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Staten Island 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 College of Staten Island CUNY's (48%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than Staten Island graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $45,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Staten Island CUNY graduates have a $12,013 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($13,987 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Staten Island graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($144 vs. $268).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Staten Island students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 49%)

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.