LVC vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare Lebanon Valley College in Annville, 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 LVC based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 2,146 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lebanon Valley College is located in Annville, PA (Small Suburban setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• Lebanon Valley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lebanon Valley College 11:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

LVC vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LVC 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 Lebanon Valley College than Wilkes ($27,995 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilkes University are 2.5% lower than at Lebanon Valley College ($16,166 vs. $16,576).
• Lebanon Valley College is 19.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wilkes (about $8,584 more per year; $52,080.00 vs. $43,496.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.7% higher at LVC than at Wilkes University (about $8,584 more per year; $52,080.00 vs. $43,496.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Lebanon Valley College as at Wilkes University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lebanon Valley College students is 36.5% larger than aid received by Wilkes University students ($38,653 vs. $28,324).

LVC vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LVC 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 LVC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lebanon Valley College (1220) is 80 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lebanon Valley College 1140/1302; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LVC - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman LVC students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Wilkes (3.56).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than LVC (83.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at LVC vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

LVC vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LVC 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).

• Lebanon Valley College's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than LVC graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilkes University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than LVC graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wilkes graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LVC graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More LVC 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.