Waynesburg College vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare Waynesburg University in Waynesburg, 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 Waynesburg College based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 1,231 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Waynesburg University is located in Waynesburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• Waynesburg University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Waynesburg University 12:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

Waynesburg College vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Waynesburg College 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 Waynesburg University than Wilkes ($18,667 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Waynesburg University are 14.7% lower than at Wilkes University ($13,790 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 42.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Waynesburg College (about $13,016 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $30,480.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.7% higher at Wilkes than at Waynesburg University (about $13,016 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $30,480.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Waynesburg University as at Wilkes University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 13.4% larger than aid received by Waynesburg University students ($28,324 vs. $24,971).

Waynesburg College vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Waynesburg College 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 Waynesburg College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wilkes University (1140) is 50 points higher than at Waynesburg College (1090).
• Incoming Wilkes students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at Waynesburg College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Waynesburg University 930/1250; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Waynesburg University 19/23; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Waynesburg College - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Waynesburg College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Wilkes (3.56).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Waynesburg College (89.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19% at Waynesburg College vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Waynesburg College vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Waynesburg College 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).

• Wilkes University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Waynesburg University's (57%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than Waynesburg College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilkes University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Waynesburg College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wilkes graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Waynesburg College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Waynesburg College students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 73%)

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.