DeSales University vs. Wilkes

Should I go to DeSales University or Wilkes University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if DeSales University or Wilkes is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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DeSales University vs. Wilkes University comparison
DeSales University Wilkes University College 3 College 4
DeSales University Wilkes University
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Overview

DeSales University Wilkes
Location Center Valley, PA Wilkes-Barre, PA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 2,991 5,207
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #262 #478
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website desales.edu wilkes.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

DeSales University Wilkes
Tuition (In State) $41,100 $39,134
Tuition (Out of State) $41,100 $39,134
Room & Board $13,500 $15,850
Avg Net Price $29,104 $27,918
Avg Grant Aid $27,824 $29,441
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 97%

Admission

DeSales University Wilkes
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,662 4,798
Admitted 2,826 4,517
Acceptance Rate 77.2% 94.1%
Enrolled % 18% 10.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.56
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 21/26
SAT Range 1100/1280 1060/1260
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

DeSales University Wilkes
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (29%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Engineering (11%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

DeSales University Wilkes
Graduation Rate 69% 58%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,100 $58,200
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $268

Diversity

DeSales University Wilkes
% Men 34% 31%
% Women 66% 69%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 75% 73%
% Black 4% 4%
% Hispanic 12% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 0% 9%
% Unknown Race 6% 2%

Students

DeSales University Wilkes
% In-State 66% 75%
% Out-of-State 34% 24%

Campus

DeSales University Wilkes
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Wilkes University is larger than than DeSales University based on total student enrollment (5,207 students vs. 2,991 students)

DeSales University vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DeSales University or Wilkes?

  • DeSales University is 5% more expensive to attend than Wilkes for in-state tuition ($41,100.00 vs. $39,134.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5% higher at DeSales University than Wilkes University ($41,100.00 vs. $39,134.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wilkes University than DeSales University ($27,918 vs. $29,104)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at DeSales University are 17.4% lower than costs at Wilkes University ($13,500 vs. $15,850)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at DeSales University than Wilkes University (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 5.8% larger than aid received DeSales University ($29,441 vs. $27,824)

DeSales University vs. Wilkes Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DeSales University or Wilkes? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Wilkes or DeSales University .

  • The average SAT score at DeSales University (1054) is 1 points higher than at Wilkes (1053)
  • Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at DeSales University (3.39)
  • Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (94.1%) than DeSales University (77.2%)

DeSales University vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, DeSales University or Wilkes? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Wilkes and DeSales University.

  • The graduation rate at DeSales University is higher than Wilkes University (69% vs. 58%)
  • Graduates from Wilkes University earn on average $7,100 more per year than DeSales University graduates after ten years. ($58,200 vs. $51,100)
  • Wilkes University and DeSales University graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($26,000 vs. $26,000)
  • Wilkes University and DeSales University graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($268 vs. $268)
  • More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DeSales University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/