Elizabethtown College vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, 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 Elizabethtown College based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 2,283 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Elizabethtown College vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown College than Wilkes ($27,760 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elizabethtown College are 17.5% lower than at Wilkes University ($13,340 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 14.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elizabethtown College (about $5,546 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $37,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at Wilkes than at Elizabethtown College (about $5,546 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $37,950.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Elizabethtown College as at Wilkes University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 22.8% larger than aid received by Elizabethtown College students ($28,324 vs. $23,064).

Elizabethtown College vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elizabethtown College (1210) is 70 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming Elizabethtown College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Wilkes).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabethtown College 1105/1310; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabethtown College 26/31; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elizabethtown College - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Elizabethtown College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Wilkes (3.56).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Elizabethtown College (77.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.6% at Elizabethtown College vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Elizabethtown College vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elizabethtown 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).

• Elizabethtown College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Elizabethtown College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilkes University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Elizabethtown College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wilkes graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elizabethtown College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Elizabethtown College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wilkes students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 75%)

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.