Penn State Wilkes-Barre vs. University of Scranton

Comparable Facts

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

University of Scranton is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (4,724 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Wilkes Barre is located in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting); University of Scranton is in Scranton, PA (Small City setting).
• Penn State Wilkes Barre is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Scranton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1; University of Scranton 11:1.

Penn State Wilkes-Barre vs. University of Scranton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Wilkes-Barre or University of Scranton? 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 University of Scranton ($16,621 vs. $34,234).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Wilkes Barre are 12.1% lower than at University of Scranton ($15,274 vs. $17,380).
• University of Scranton is 278% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $39,703 more per year; $53,983.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 124.9% higher at University of Scranton than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $29,977 more per year; $53,983.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Scranton than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (96% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Scranton students is 265.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($35,606 vs. $9,742).

Penn State Wilkes-Barre vs. University of Scranton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Wilkes-Barre or University of Scranton? 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 University of Scranton and Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Scranton (1240) is 30 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; University of Scranton 1160/1318.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Scranton 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Wilkes-Barre - Test optional; University of Scranton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Scranton Mar 1, 2027.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than University of Scranton (81.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre vs. 11.3% at University of Scranton.

Penn State Wilkes-Barre vs. University of Scranton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Wilkes-Barre and University of Scranton? 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).

• University of Scranton's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Penn State Wilkes Barre's (47%).
• Graduates from University of Scranton earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Wilkes Barre graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than University of Scranton 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 University of Scranton graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More University of Scranton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Wilkes-Barre students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 69%)

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.