Wilkes vs. Randolph-Macon

Comparable Facts

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

Wilkes University is larger than Randolph-Macon based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 1,687 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wilkes University is located in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting); Randolph Macon College is in Ashland, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Randolph Macon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wilkes University 13:1; Randolph Macon College 11:1.

Wilkes vs. Randolph-Macon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wilkes or Randolph-Macon? 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 Randolph-Macon ($28,511 vs. $28,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Randolph Macon College are 10.1% lower than at Wilkes University ($14,540 vs. $16,166).
• Randolph Macon College is 13.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wilkes (about $5,970 more per year; $49,466.00 vs. $43,496.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.7% higher at Randolph-Macon than at Wilkes University (about $5,970 more per year; $49,466.00 vs. $43,496.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University as at Randolph Macon College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Randolph Macon College students is 23.5% larger than aid received by Wilkes University students ($34,972 vs. $28,324).

Wilkes vs. Randolph-Macon Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wilkes University (1140) is 40 points higher than at Randolph-Macon (1100).
• Incoming Wilkes students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Randolph-Macon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wilkes University 1020/1250; Randolph Macon College 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wilkes University 22/29; Randolph Macon College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wilkes - Test optional; Randolph-Macon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Randolph-Macon Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Randolph-Macon students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Wilkes (3.56).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Randolph-Macon (86.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at Wilkes vs. 18.9% at Randolph-Macon.

Wilkes vs. Randolph-Macon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wilkes and Randolph-Macon? 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 Macon College's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Randolph-Macon graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $50,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilkes University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Randolph-Macon graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wilkes graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Randolph-Macon graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Randolph-Macon 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.