Simmons University vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Should I go to Simmons University or Penn State Wilkes Barre? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Simmons University or Penn State Wilkes-Barre 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Emmanuel College BU Emerson UMass BC Providence Lesley University Wellesley Wheaton College MHC Bentley MCPHS
Simmons University vs. Penn State Wilkes Barre comparison
Simmons University Penn State Wilkes Barre College 3 College 4
Simmons University Penn State Wilkes Barre
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Simmons University Penn State Wilkes-Barre
Location Boston, MA Lehman, PA
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 5,053 353
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #122
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website simmons.edu psu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Simmons University Penn State Wilkes-Barre
Tuition (In State) $44,208 $13,824
Tuition (Out of State) $44,208 $23,316
Room & Board $17,104 $13,448
Avg Net Price $29,575 $16,275
Avg Grant Aid $33,874 $8,945
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 91%

Admission

Simmons University Penn State Wilkes-Barre
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,871 640
Admitted 3,215 605
Acceptance Rate 66% 94.5%
Enrolled % 11.3% 14.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.87 -
Typical High School Grades A- -
Admissions Standards Very High Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 26/31
SAT Range 1230/1390 1060/1305
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 Feb 1, 2026

Academics

Simmons University Penn State Wilkes-Barre
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (6%)
  • Business (34%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (28%)
  • Engineering Technology (19%)
  • English and Literature (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (5%)

Outcomes

Simmons University Penn State Wilkes-Barre
Graduation Rate 69% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,800 $55,300
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $26,818
Median Loan Payment $268 $277

Diversity

Simmons University Penn State Wilkes-Barre
% Men 8% 0%
% Women 57% 1%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 88%
% Black 7% 3%
% Hispanic 6% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Simmons University Penn State Wilkes-Barre
% In-State 57% 83%
% Out-of-State 37% 17%

Campus

Simmons University Penn State Wilkes-Barre
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Simmons University is larger than than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (5,053 students vs. 353 students)

Simmons University vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simmons University or Penn State Wilkes-Barre?

  • Simmons University is 219.8% more expensive to attend than Penn State Wilkes-Barre for in-state tuition ($44,208.00 vs. $13,824.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 89.6% higher at Simmons University than Penn State Wilkes Barre ($44,208.00 vs. $23,316.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Penn State Wilkes Barre than Simmons University ($16,275 vs. $29,575)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Wilkes Barre are 27.2% lower than costs at Simmons University ($13,448 vs. $17,104)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Simmons University than Penn State Wilkes Barre (99% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Simmons University students is 278.7% larger than aid received Penn State Wilkes Barre ($33,874 vs. $8,945)

Simmons University vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Simmons University (1163) is 181 points higher than at Penn State Wilkes-Barre (982)
  • Incoming Simmons University students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Penn State Wilkes-Barre (22)
  • Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (94.5%) than Simmons University (66%)

Simmons University vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Simmons University or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Penn State Wilkes-Barre and Simmons University.

  • The graduation rate at Simmons University is higher than Penn State Wilkes Barre (69% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from Penn State Wilkes Barre earn on average $2,500 more per year than Simmons University graduates after ten years. ($55,300 vs. $52,800)
  • Simmons University students graduate with a $818 lower median federal student loan debt than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates. ($26,000 vs. $26,818)
  • Simmons University graduates are paying $9 less per month on federal student loans than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates. ($268 vs. $277)
  • More Simmons University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Wilkes-Barre students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 69%)

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