Simmons University vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Comparable Facts

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

Simmons University is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (4,666 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simmons University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Penn State Wilkes Barre is in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Simmons University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Wilkes Barre is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Simmons University 9:1; Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1.

Simmons University vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simmons University or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Simmons University ($16,621 vs. $28,691).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Wilkes Barre are 13.3% lower than at Simmons University ($15,274 vs. $17,618).
• Simmons University is 228.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $32,594 more per year; $46,874.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.3% higher at Simmons University than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $22,868 more per year; $46,874.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simmons University than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simmons University students is 260.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($35,123 vs. $9,742).

Simmons University vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Simmons University (1310) is 100 points higher than at Penn State Wilkes-Barre (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simmons University 1220/1390; Penn State Wilkes Barre 1090/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simmons University 26/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simmons University - Test optional; Penn State Wilkes-Barre - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simmons University Feb 1, 2027.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Simmons University (70%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.8% at Simmons University vs. 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

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

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

• Simmons University's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Penn State Wilkes Barre's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Wilkes Barre earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Simmons University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $52,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Simmons University graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Simmons University graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.