Western New England University vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare Western New England University in Springfield, MA 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 Western New England University based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 3,674 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western New England University is located in Springfield, MA (Midsize City setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• Western New England University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western New England University 12:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

Western New England University vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western New England University 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 Western New England University than Wilkes ($27,056 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western New England University are 3.7% lower than at Wilkes University ($15,570 vs. $16,166).
• Western New England University is 9.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wilkes (about $4,324 more per year; $47,820.00 vs. $43,496.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at Western New England University than at Wilkes University (about $4,324 more per year; $47,820.00 vs. $43,496.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at Western New England University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western New England University students is 16.7% larger than aid received by Wilkes University students ($33,067 vs. $28,324).

Western New England University vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western New England University 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 Western New England University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western New England University (1200) is 60 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming Wilkes students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Western New England University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western New England University 1090/1300; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western New England University 21/28; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western New England University - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Western New England University (3.49).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Western New England University (83.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Western New England University vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Western New England University vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western New England University 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).

• Western New England University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Western New England University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Wilkes graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 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 Western New England University graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wilkes graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western New England University graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Western New England University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wilkes students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.