MC vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare Mississippi College in Clinton, MS 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 MC based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 4,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mississippi College is located in Clinton, MS (Large Suburban setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• Mississippi College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mississippi College 14:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

MC vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MC 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 MC ($28,511 vs. $28,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi College are 0.3% lower than at Wilkes University ($16,120 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 85.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than MC (about $19,996 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $23,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.1% higher at Wilkes than at Mississippi College (about $19,996 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $23,500.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi College as at Wilkes University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 123.4% larger than aid received by Mississippi College students ($28,324 vs. $12,676).

MC vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MC 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 MC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mississippi College (1200) is 60 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming MC 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: Mississippi College 1140/1260; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi College 21/29; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MC - Required; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman MC students have the same average high school GPA (3.56) as students at Wilkes (3.56).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than MC (29.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 91% at MC vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

MC vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MC 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 Mississippi College's (51%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $14,100 more per year than MC graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mississippi College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, MC graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MC students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 59%)

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.