Fitchburg State vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA with Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fitchburg State University is larger than Wilkes based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 5,381 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

Fitchburg State vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State University than Wilkes ($15,340 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 4.4% lower than at Wilkes University ($15,452 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 283.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $32,150 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 149.6% higher at Wilkes than at Fitchburg State University (about $26,070 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at Fitchburg State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 145.5% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($28,324 vs. $11,539).

Fitchburg State vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fitchburg State University (1150) is 10 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Fitchburg State (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Fitchburg State vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $3,315 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($22,685 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($234 vs. $268).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 65%)

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.