Drexel vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Comparable Facts

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

Drexel University is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Drexel University is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Penn State Wilkes Barre is in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Drexel 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: Drexel University 9:1; Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1.

Drexel vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drexel 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 Drexel ($16,621 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Wilkes Barre are 15.6% lower than at Drexel University ($15,274 vs. $18,096).
• Drexel University is 337.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $48,132 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 160% higher at Drexel than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $38,406 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drexel University students is 259.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($35,051 vs. $9,742).

Drexel vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Drexel 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 Drexel.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Drexel University (1340) is 130 points higher than at Penn State Wilkes-Barre (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drexel University 1240/1440; Penn State Wilkes Barre 1090/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drexel - Test optional; Penn State Wilkes-Barre - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Drexel (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.1% at Drexel vs. 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

Drexel vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drexel 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).

• Drexel University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Penn State Wilkes Barre's (47%).
• Graduates from Drexel University earn a median of about $22,100 more per year than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,400 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Drexel University graduates have a $575 lower median loan debt than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates ($26,243 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Drexel graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates ($271 vs. $277).
• More Drexel graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Wilkes-Barre students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 69%)

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.