Queens College vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

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

CUNY Queens College is larger than Wilkes based on total student enrollment (15,965 students vs. 5,381 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Queens College vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Queens 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 CUNY Queens College than Wilkes ($5,728 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilkes University are 5.6% lower than at CUNY Queens College ($16,166 vs. $17,132).
• Wilkes University is 477% more expensive for in-state tuition than Queens College (about $35,958 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $7,538.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 180.8% higher at Wilkes than at CUNY Queens College (about $28,008 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $15,488.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at CUNY Queens College (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 212.7% larger than aid received by CUNY Queens College students ($28,324 vs. $9,057).

Queens College vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Queens 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 Queens College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at CUNY Queens College (1150) is 10 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: CUNY Queens College 1010/1290; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Queens College - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Queens College (3.0).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Queens College (64.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at Queens College vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Queens College vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Queens 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 CUNY Queens College's (53%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Queens College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY Queens College graduates have a $15,000 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($11,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Queens College graduates have an estimated $155 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($113 vs. $268).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Queens College students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 56%)

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.