UConn vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT with Penn State Wilkes Barre in Dallas, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Connecticut is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (28,306 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Connecticut is located in Storrs, CT (Town Fringe setting); Penn State Wilkes Barre is in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Connecticut is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Wilkes Barre is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Connecticut 17:1; Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1.

UConn vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UConn or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Penn State Wilkes Barre than UConn ($16,621 vs. $25,310).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Connecticut are 5.9% lower than at Penn State Wilkes Barre ($14,380 vs. $15,274).
• University of Connecticut is 47.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $6,764 more per year; $21,044.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.1% higher at UConn than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $19,706 more per year; $43,712.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Wilkes Barre than at University of Connecticut (89% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Connecticut students is 69.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($16,503 vs. $9,742).

UConn vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UConn or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Penn State Wilkes-Barre and UConn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Connecticut (1330) is 120 points higher than at Penn State Wilkes-Barre (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Connecticut 1210/1440; Penn State Wilkes Barre 1090/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Connecticut 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UConn - Test optional; Penn State Wilkes-Barre - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UConn Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than UConn (52.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at UConn vs. 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

UConn vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UConn and Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 of Connecticut's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than Penn State Wilkes Barre's (47%).
• Graduates from University of Connecticut earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Connecticut graduates have a $5,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, UConn graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates ($222 vs. $277).
• More UConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Wilkes-Barre students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.