SUNY Cortland vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

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

State University of New York at Cortland is larger than Wilkes based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 5,381 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• State University of New York at Cortland is located in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: State University of New York at Cortland 15:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

SUNY Cortland vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Cortland 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 State University of New York at Cortland than Wilkes ($19,847 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at Cortland are 3.7% lower than at Wilkes University ($15,560 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 390.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $34,622 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 131.6% higher at Wilkes than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $24,712 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at State University of New York at Cortland (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 243.2% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($28,324 vs. $8,254).

SUNY Cortland vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY Cortland 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 SUNY Cortland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at State University of New York at Cortland (1170) is 30 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming Wilkes students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at SUNY Cortland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 22/27; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Cortland - Test-free; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Cortland students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Wilkes (3.56).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than SUNY Cortland (59.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at SUNY Cortland vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

SUNY Cortland vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Cortland 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).

• State University of New York at Cortland's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($222 vs. $268).
• More SUNY Cortland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wilkes students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 75%)

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.