Pacific vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR 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 Pacific based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 3,427 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pacific University is located in Forest Grove, OR (Large Suburban setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pacific University 10:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

Pacific vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pacific 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 Pacific ($28,511 vs. $35,235).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific University are 3.4% lower than at Wilkes University ($15,620 vs. $16,166).
• Pacific University is 29.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wilkes (about $12,878 more per year; $56,374.00 vs. $43,496.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.6% higher at Pacific than at Wilkes University (about $12,878 more per year; $56,374.00 vs. $43,496.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at Pacific University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific University students is 31.1% larger than aid received by Wilkes University students ($37,139 vs. $28,324).

Pacific vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pacific 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 Pacific.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wilkes University (1140) is 70 points higher than at Pacific (1070).
• Incoming Wilkes students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Pacific).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific University 900/1240; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific University 18/29; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pacific - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pacific Aug 25, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pacific students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Wilkes (3.56).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Pacific (89.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Pacific vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Pacific vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pacific 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).

• Pacific University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than Pacific graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilkes University graduates have a $156 lower median loan debt than Pacific graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,156).
• Among borrowers, Wilkes graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pacific graduates ($268 vs. $270).
• More Pacific graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wilkes students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.