University of Scranton vs. Wilkes

Deciding between University of Scranton and Wilkes University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Scranton
Wilkes University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Scranton Scranton, PA
  • Wilkes Wilkes-Barre, PA
  • Setting
  • University of Scranton Small City
  • Wilkes Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Scranton 4,724
  • Wilkes 5,381
  • Type
  • University of Scranton Private 4 Year
  • Wilkes Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Scranton #219
  • Wilkes #414
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Scranton Roman Catholic
  • Wilkes -
  • Status
  • University of Scranton Non-profit
  • Wilkes Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Scranton
  • Wilkes
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Scranton $53,983
  • Wilkes $43,496
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Scranton $53,983
  • Wilkes $43,496
  • Room & Board
  • University of Scranton $17,380
  • Wilkes $16,166
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Scranton $34,234
  • Wilkes $28,511
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Scranton $35,606
  • Wilkes $28,324
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Scranton 96%
  • Wilkes 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Scranton 9,666
  • Wilkes 7,660
  • Admitted
  • University of Scranton 7,852
  • Wilkes 6,943
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Scranton 81.2%
  • Wilkes 90.6%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Scranton 11.3%
  • Wilkes 9.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Scranton 1240
  • Wilkes 1140
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Scranton 27
  • Wilkes 25
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Scranton 3.56
  • Wilkes 3.56
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Scranton A-
  • Wilkes A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Scranton Difficult
  • Wilkes Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Scranton
  • Wilkes
  • ACT Range
  • University of Scranton 25/30
  • Wilkes 22/29
  • SAT Range
  • University of Scranton 1160/1318
  • Wilkes 1020/1250
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Scranton Test optional
  • Wilkes Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Scranton Mar 1, 2027
  • Wilkes
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Scranton 11:1
  • Wilkes 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Scranton
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Wilkes
    • Business (18%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Scranton 77%
  • Wilkes 58%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Scranton $62,100
  • Wilkes $58,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Scranton 81%
  • Wilkes 75%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Scranton $27,000
  • Wilkes $26,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Scranton $279
  • Wilkes $268
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Scranton 43%
  • Wilkes 32%
  • % Women
  • University of Scranton 57%
  • Wilkes 68%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Scranton Very Low
  • Wilkes Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Scranton No
  • Wilkes No
  • % White
  • University of Scranton 82%
  • Wilkes 73%
  • % Asian
  • University of Scranton 2%
  • Wilkes 3%
  • % Black
  • University of Scranton 2%
  • Wilkes 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Scranton 9%
  • Wilkes 6%
  • % Native American
  • University of Scranton 0%
  • Wilkes 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Scranton 0%
  • Wilkes 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Scranton 2%
  • Wilkes 4%
  • % International
  • University of Scranton 1%
  • Wilkes 9%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Scranton 2%
  • Wilkes 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Scranton 45%
  • Wilkes 65%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Scranton 55%
  • Wilkes 20%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of Scranton Yes
  • Wilkes Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of Scranton No
  • Wilkes No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of Scranton Yes
  • Wilkes Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of Scranton Yes
  • Wilkes Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of Scranton No
  • Wilkes No

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Scranton in Scranton, 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 University of Scranton based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 4,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Scranton is located in Scranton, PA (Small City setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
  • University of Scranton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Scranton 11:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

University of Scranton vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Scranton 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 Wilkes University than University of Scranton ($28,511 vs. $34,234).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilkes University are 7% lower than at University of Scranton ($16,166 vs. $17,380).
  • University of Scranton is 24.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wilkes (about $10,487 more per year; $53,983.00 vs. $43,496.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 24.1% higher at University of Scranton than at Wilkes University (about $10,487 more per year; $53,983.00 vs. $43,496.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at University of Scranton (100% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Scranton students is 25.7% larger than aid received by Wilkes University students ($35,606 vs. $28,324).

University of Scranton vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Scranton 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 University of Scranton.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Scranton (1240) is 100 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
  • Incoming University of Scranton students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Wilkes).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Scranton 1160/1318; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Scranton 25/30; Wilkes University 22/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Scranton - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Scranton Mar 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Scranton students have the same average high school GPA (3.56) as students at Wilkes (3.56).
  • Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than University of Scranton (81.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at University of Scranton vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

University of Scranton vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Scranton 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 Scranton's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Wilkes University's (58%).
  • Graduates from University of Scranton earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Wilkes graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $58,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilkes University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than University of Scranton graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Wilkes graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Scranton graduates ($268 vs. $279).
  • More University of Scranton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wilkes students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.