Penn State Wilkes-Barre vs. Hollins College

Comparable Facts

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

Hollins University is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (761 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Wilkes Barre is located in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting); Hollins University is in Roanoke, VA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Penn State Wilkes Barre is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hollins University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1; Hollins University 8:1.

Penn State Wilkes-Barre vs. Hollins College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Wilkes-Barre or Hollins College? 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 Hollins College ($16,621 vs. $22,605).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Wilkes Barre are 3.3% lower than at Hollins University ($15,274 vs. $15,800).
• Hollins University is 205% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $29,280 more per year; $43,560.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.5% higher at Hollins College than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $19,554 more per year; $43,560.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hollins University than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hollins University students is 271.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($36,154 vs. $9,742).

Penn State Wilkes-Barre vs. Hollins College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Wilkes-Barre or Hollins College? 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 Hollins College and Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hollins University (1250) is 40 points higher than at Penn State Wilkes-Barre (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Wilkes Barre 1090/1330; Hollins University 1150/1340.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Wilkes-Barre - Test optional; Hollins College - Test optional.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Hollins College (68%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre vs. 9.6% at Hollins College.

Penn State Wilkes-Barre vs. Hollins College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Wilkes-Barre and Hollins College? 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).

• Hollins University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Penn State Wilkes Barre's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Wilkes Barre earn a median of about $19,700 more per year than Hollins College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Wilkes Barre graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Hollins College graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hollins College graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hollins College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 57%)

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.