Wilkes vs. Randolph

Comparable Facts

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

Wilkes University is larger than Randolph based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 816 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wilkes University is located in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting); Randolph College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Randolph College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wilkes University 13:1; Randolph College 8:1.

Wilkes vs. Randolph Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wilkes or Randolph? 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 Randolph College than Wilkes ($21,668 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Randolph College are 23.6% lower than at Wilkes University ($12,350 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 43.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Randolph (about $13,186 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $30,310.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.5% higher at Wilkes than at Randolph College (about $13,186 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $30,310.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University as at Randolph College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 21.2% larger than aid received by Randolph College students ($28,324 vs. $23,372).

Wilkes vs. Randolph Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wilkes or Randolph? 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 Randolph and Wilkes.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Randolph College (1160) is 20 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming Wilkes students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at Randolph).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wilkes University 1020/1250; Randolph College 1100/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wilkes University 22/29; Randolph College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wilkes - Test optional; Randolph - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Randolph (3.35).
• Randolph has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than Wilkes (90.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at Wilkes vs. 11.7% at Randolph.

Wilkes vs. Randolph Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wilkes and Randolph? 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).

• Randolph College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than Randolph graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilkes University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Randolph graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wilkes graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Randolph graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Randolph students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 63%)

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.