Samford University vs. Wilkes

Should I go to Samford University or Wilkes University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Samford University or Wilkes is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Samford University vs. Wilkes University comparison
Samford University Wilkes University College 3 College 4
Samford University Wilkes University
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Overview

Samford University Wilkes
Location Birmingham, AL Wilkes-Barre, PA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 5,682 5,207
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #213 #478
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website samford.edu wilkes.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Samford University Wilkes
Tuition (In State) $35,750 $39,134
Tuition (Out of State) $35,750 $39,134
Room & Board $11,264 $15,850
Avg Net Price $31,803 $27,918
Avg Grant Aid $20,711 $29,441
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 97%

Admission

Samford University Wilkes
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,337 4,798
Admitted 3,611 4,517
Acceptance Rate 83.3% 94.1%
Enrolled % 27% 10.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.56
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 21/26
SAT Range 1080/1270 1060/1260
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025

Academics

Samford University Wilkes
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Engineering (11%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

Samford University Wilkes
Graduation Rate 70% 58%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,400 $58,200
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $232 $268

Diversity

Samford University Wilkes
% Men 32% 31%
% Women 68% 69%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 73%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 3% 9%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Samford University Wilkes
% In-State 25% 75%
% Out-of-State 74% 24%

Campus

Samford University Wilkes
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Samford University is larger than than Wilkes based on total student enrollment (5,682 students vs. 5,207 students)

Samford University vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University or Wilkes?

  • Wilkes University is 9.5% more expensive to attend than Samford University for in-state tuition ($39,134.00 vs. $35,750.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 9.5% higher at Wilkes than Samford University ($39,134.00 vs. $35,750.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wilkes University than Samford University ($27,918 vs. $31,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Samford University are 40.7% lower than costs at Wilkes University ($11,264 vs. $15,850)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Samford University than Wilkes University (99% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 42.2% larger than aid received Samford University ($29,441 vs. $20,711)

Samford University vs. Wilkes Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Samford University or Wilkes? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Wilkes or Samford University .

  • The average SAT score at Samford University (1162) is 109 points higher than at Wilkes (1053)
  • Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Wilkes (3.56)
  • Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (94.1%) than Samford University (83.3%)

Samford University vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Samford University or Wilkes? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Wilkes and Samford University.

  • The graduation rate at Samford University is higher than Wilkes University (70% vs. 58%)
  • Graduates from Wilkes University earn on average $800 more per year than Samford University graduates after ten years. ($58,200 vs. $57,400)
  • Samford University students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Wilkes graduates. ($22,500 vs. $26,000)
  • Samford University graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than Wilkes graduates. ($232 vs. $268)
  • More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wilkes students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 75%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/