LRC vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Comparable Facts

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

La Roche University is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (2,153 students vs. 315 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Roche University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Wilkes Barre is in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• La Roche 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: La Roche University 11:1; Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1.

LRC vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LRC 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 LRC ($16,621 vs. $24,108).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Roche University are 12.3% lower than at Penn State Wilkes Barre ($13,390 vs. $15,274).
• La Roche University is 138.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $19,772 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.8% higher at LRC than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $10,046 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Wilkes Barre than at La Roche University (89% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Roche University students is 136.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($23,083 vs. $9,742).

LRC vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LRC or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Wilkes-Barre and LRC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Penn State Wilkes Barre (1210) is 140 points higher than at LRC (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 940/1200; Penn State Wilkes Barre 1090/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LRC - Test optional; Penn State Wilkes-Barre - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LRC Aug 1, 2027.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than LRC (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at LRC vs. 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

LRC vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LRC and Penn State Wilkes-Barre? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• La Roche University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Penn State Wilkes Barre's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Wilkes Barre earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than LRC graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, La Roche University graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, LRC graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LRC students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

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.