University at Albany- SUNY vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare University at Albany in Albany, NY with Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University at Albany is larger than Wilkes based on total student enrollment (17,560 students vs. 5,381 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University at Albany is located in Albany, NY (Small City setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• University at Albany is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University at Albany 16:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

University at Albany- SUNY vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University at Albany- SUNY or Wilkes? 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 University at Albany than Wilkes ($17,949 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilkes University are 1.6% lower than at University at Albany ($16,166 vs. $16,423).
• Wilkes University is 300.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University at Albany- SUNY (about $32,630 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $10,866.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.2% higher at Wilkes than at University at Albany (about $12,240 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $31,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at University at Albany (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 152.7% larger than aid received by University at Albany students ($28,324 vs. $11,210).

University at Albany- SUNY vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University at Albany- SUNY or Wilkes? 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 Wilkes and University at Albany- SUNY.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University at Albany (1220) is 80 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming University at Albany- SUNY students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Wilkes).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Albany 1120/1320; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University at Albany 22/31; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University at Albany- SUNY - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University at Albany- SUNY Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at University at Albany- SUNY (3.3).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than University at Albany- SUNY (69.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at University at Albany- SUNY vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

University at Albany- SUNY vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University at Albany- SUNY and Wilkes? 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 at Albany's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than University at Albany- SUNY graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $55,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University at Albany graduates have a $4,935 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($21,065 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, University at Albany- SUNY graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($217 vs. $268).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University at Albany- SUNY students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 70%)

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.