WCU vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

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

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than Wilkes based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 5,381 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is located in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

WCU vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WCU 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania than Wilkes ($22,546 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 8.3% lower than at Wilkes University ($14,828 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 303.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $32,721 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 92.5% higher at Wilkes than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $20,897 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 396.1% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($28,324 vs. $5,709).

WCU vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WCU 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 WCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 50 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming WCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Wilkes).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WCU - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at WCU (3.43).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WCU vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

WCU vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WCU 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).

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($242 vs. $268).
• More WCU 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.