Kent State vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

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

Kent State University at Kent is larger than Wilkes based on total student enrollment (26,374 students vs. 5,381 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kent State University at Kent is located in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• Kent State University at Kent is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kent State University at Kent 20:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

Kent State vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kent 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 Kent State University at Kent than Wilkes ($21,278 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Kent are 14.7% lower than at Wilkes University ($13,794 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 228.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State (about $30,264 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $13,232.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.4% higher at Wilkes than at Kent State University at Kent (about $20,414 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $23,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at Kent State University at Kent (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 181.1% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Kent students ($28,324 vs. $10,076).

Kent State vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wilkes University (1140) is 10 points higher than at Kent State (1130).
• Incoming Wilkes students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at Kent State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kent State University at Kent 1010/1240; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kent State University at Kent 18/25; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kent State - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kent State students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Wilkes (3.56).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Kent State (86.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at Kent State vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Kent State vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kent 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 Kent State University at Kent's (50%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $17,900 more per year than Kent State graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kent State University at Kent graduates have a $175 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($25,825 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Kent State graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($267 vs. $268).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 46%)

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.