Susquahanna vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

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

Wilkes University is larger than Susquahanna based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 2,255 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Susquehanna University is located in Selinsgrove, PA (Distant Town setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• Susquehanna University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Susquehanna University 13:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

Susquahanna vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Susquahanna 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 Susquehanna University than Wilkes ($26,444 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Susquehanna University are 0.4% lower than at Wilkes University ($16,100 vs. $16,166).
• Susquehanna University is 37.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wilkes (about $16,354 more per year; $59,850.00 vs. $43,496.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.6% higher at Susquahanna than at Wilkes University (about $16,354 more per year; $59,850.00 vs. $43,496.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at Susquehanna University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Susquehanna University students is 72.9% larger than aid received by Wilkes University students ($48,966 vs. $28,324).

Susquahanna vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Susquahanna 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 Susquahanna.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Susquehanna University (1200) is 60 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming Susquahanna students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Wilkes (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Susquehanna University 1100/1300; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Susquehanna University 21/29; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Susquahanna - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Susquahanna students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Wilkes (3.56).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Susquahanna (81.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Susquahanna vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Susquahanna vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Susquahanna 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).

• Susquehanna University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Susquahanna graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $57,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilkes University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Susquahanna graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wilkes graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Susquahanna graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Susquahanna graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wilkes students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.