Pitt vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is larger than Wilkes based on total student enrollment (35,724 students vs. 5,381 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Pitt vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pitt 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 University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus than Wilkes ($25,223 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus are 15.7% lower than at Wilkes University ($13,620 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 98.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pitt (about $21,570 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $21,926.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at Wilkes than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (about $2,066 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $41,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 71.7% larger than aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students ($28,324 vs. $16,494).

Pitt vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pitt 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 Pitt.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (1370) is 230 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming Pitt students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at Wilkes).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pitt - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Pitt students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Wilkes (3.56).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Pitt (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at Pitt vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Pitt vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pitt 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).

• University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $200 more per year than Pitt graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilkes University graduates have a $909 lower median loan debt than Pitt graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,909).
• Among borrowers, Wilkes graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt graduates ($268 vs. $278).
• More Pitt 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.