University of Akron vs. Wilkes

Should I go to University of Akron Main Campus or Wilkes University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Akron or Wilkes is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Kent State Ohio State Cleveland State University of Toledo UC Wright State BGSU Ohio University Youngstown State Marywood Miami Ashland College
University of Akron Main Campus vs. Wilkes University comparison
University of Akron Main Campus Wilkes University College 3 College 4
University of Akron Main Campus Wilkes University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

University of Akron Wilkes
Location Akron, OH Wilkes-Barre, PA
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 13,465 5,207
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #838 #478
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uakron.edu wilkes.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Akron Wilkes
Tuition (In State) $10,097 $39,134
Tuition (Out of State) $13,170 $39,134
Room & Board $12,410 $15,850
Avg Net Price $14,667 $27,918
Avg Grant Aid $8,525 $29,441
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 97%

Admission

University of Akron Wilkes
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,282 4,798
Admitted 10,178 4,517
Acceptance Rate 82.9%Open 94.1%
Enrolled % 20.8%Open 10.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.56
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/25 21/26
SAT Range 980/1230 1060/1260
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

University of Akron Wilkes
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Engineering (11%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

University of Akron Wilkes
Graduation Rate 38% 58%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,100 $58,200
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,500 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $263 $268

Diversity

University of Akron Wilkes
% Men 50% 31%
% Women 50% 69%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 73%
% Black 12% 4%
% Hispanic 2% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 2% 9%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

University of Akron Wilkes
% In-State 92% 75%
% Out-of-State 7% 24%

Campus

University of Akron Wilkes
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Akron Main Campus is larger than than Wilkes based on total student enrollment (13,465 students vs. 5,207 students)

University of Akron vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Akron or Wilkes?

  • Wilkes University is 287.6% more expensive to attend than University of Akron for in-state tuition ($39,134.00 vs. $10,097.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 197.1% higher at Wilkes than University of Akron Main Campus ($39,134.00 vs. $13,170.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Akron Main Campus than Wilkes ($14,667 vs. $27,918)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Akron Main Campus are 27.7% lower than costs at Wilkes University ($12,410 vs. $15,850)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Wilkes University than University of Akron Main Campus (97% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 245.3% larger than aid received University of Akron Main Campus ($29,441 vs. $8,525)

University of Akron vs. Wilkes Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Akron or Wilkes? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Wilkes or University of Akron .

  • The average SAT score at Wilkes University (1053) is 4 points higher than at University of Akron (1049)
  • Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at University of Akron (3.47)
  • Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (94.1%) than University of Akron (82.9%)

University of Akron vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Akron or Wilkes? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Wilkes and University of Akron.

  • The graduation rate at Wilkes is higher than University of Akron Main Campus (58% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Wilkes University earn on average $18,100 more per year than University of Akron graduates after ten years. ($58,200 vs. $40,100)
  • University of Akron Main Campus students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than Wilkes graduates. ($25,500 vs. $26,000)
  • University of Akron graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than Wilkes graduates. ($263 vs. $268)
  • More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Akron students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/