Suffolk University vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Comparable Facts

Compare Suffolk 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.

Suffolk University is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (6,356 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Suffolk University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Penn State Wilkes Barre is in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Suffolk 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: Suffolk University 15:1; Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1.

Suffolk University vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Suffolk 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 Suffolk University ($16,621 vs. $33,832).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Wilkes Barre are 28.4% lower than at Suffolk University ($15,274 vs. $21,326).
• Suffolk University is 233% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $33,270 more per year; $47,550.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 98.1% higher at Suffolk University than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $23,544 more per year; $47,550.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Suffolk University than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (98% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Suffolk University students is 223.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($31,558 vs. $9,742).

Suffolk University vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Suffolk 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 Suffolk University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Wilkes Barre (1210) is 10 points higher than at Suffolk University (1200).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Suffolk University 1090/1300; Penn State Wilkes Barre 1090/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Suffolk University 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Suffolk University - Test optional; Penn State Wilkes-Barre - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Suffolk University Feb 15, 2027.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Suffolk University (82.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.9% at Suffolk University vs. 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

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

How do outcomes compare for Suffolk 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).

• Suffolk University's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Penn State Wilkes Barre's (47%).
• Graduates from Suffolk University earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,100 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 Suffolk University 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 Suffolk University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Suffolk University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Wilkes-Barre students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.