Westminster College vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare Westminster College in New Wilmington, 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 Westminster College based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 1,191 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Westminster College vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Westminster 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 Westminster College than Wilkes ($20,394 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westminster College are 20.3% lower than at Wilkes University ($12,880 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Westminster College (about $3,206 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $40,290.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8% higher at Wilkes than at Westminster College (about $3,206 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $40,290.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Westminster College as at Wilkes University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westminster College students is 14.9% larger than aid received by Wilkes University students ($32,553 vs. $28,324).

Westminster College vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Westminster College (1150) is 10 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming Wilkes students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Westminster College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westminster College 1040/1258; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westminster College 20/26; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Westminster College - Test-free; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Westminster College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Wilkes (3.56).
• Westminster College has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Wilkes (90.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Westminster College vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Westminster College vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Westminster 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).

• Westminster College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than Westminster College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilkes University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Westminster College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wilkes graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westminster College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Westminster College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wilkes students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.