Howard vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than Wilkes based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 5,381 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Howard vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard 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 Wilkes University than Howard ($28,511 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilkes University are 6.7% lower than at Howard University ($16,166 vs. $17,322).
• Wilkes University is 21.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $7,686 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.5% higher at Wilkes than at Howard University (about $7,686 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 33.2% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($28,324 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard 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 Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard University (1210) is 70 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming Howard students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Wilkes (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard 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 Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Howard vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard 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).

• Howard University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Howard 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 Howard graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wilkes graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 33%)

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.