TU vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

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

Towson University is larger than Wilkes based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 5,381 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

TU vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU 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 Towson University than Wilkes ($16,653 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilkes University are 0.6% lower than at Towson University ($16,166 vs. $16,260).
• Wilkes University is 270.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $31,768 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.9% higher at Wilkes than at Towson University (about $13,676 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $29,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at Towson University (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 139.6% larger than aid received by Towson University students ($28,324 vs. $11,820).

TU vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TU 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 TU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wilkes University (1140) is 50 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Incoming Wilkes students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at TU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Wilkes (3.56).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than TU (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

TU vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU 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).

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than TU graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $8,250 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($17,750 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($183 vs. $268).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TU students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.