Wilkes vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney

Comparable Facts

Compare Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA with Hampden Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wilkes University is larger than HSC- Hampden-Sydney based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wilkes University is located in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting); Hampden Sydney College is in Hampden-Sydney, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hampden Sydney College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wilkes University 13:1; Hampden Sydney College 9:1.

Wilkes vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wilkes or HSC- Hampden-Sydney? 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney ($28,511 vs. $29,717).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilkes University are 3.4% lower than at Hampden Sydney College ($16,166 vs. $16,732).
• Hampden Sydney College is 25.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wilkes (about $11,054 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $43,496.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.4% higher at HSC- Hampden-Sydney than at Wilkes University (about $11,054 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $43,496.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University as at Hampden Sydney College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampden Sydney College students is 43.8% larger than aid received by Wilkes University students ($40,720 vs. $28,324).

Wilkes vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wilkes or HSC- Hampden-Sydney? 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney and Wilkes.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wilkes University (1140) is the same as at HSC- Hampden-Sydney (1140).
• Incoming Wilkes students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at HSC- Hampden-Sydney (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wilkes University 1020/1250; Hampden Sydney College 1030/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wilkes University 22/29; Hampden Sydney College 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wilkes - Test optional; HSC- Hampden-Sydney - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: HSC- Hampden-Sydney Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at HSC- Hampden-Sydney (3.53).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than HSC- Hampden-Sydney (40.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at Wilkes vs. 22.8% at HSC- Hampden-Sydney.

Wilkes vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wilkes and HSC- Hampden-Sydney? 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).

• Hampden Sydney College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $54,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilkes University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wilkes graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More HSC- Hampden-Sydney 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.