Wilkes vs. SU

Deciding between Wilkes University and Shenandoah University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Wilkes University
Shenandoah University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Wilkes Wilkes-Barre, PA
  • SU Winchester, VA
  • Setting
  • Wilkes Small City
  • SU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Wilkes 5,381
  • SU 4,454
  • Type
  • Wilkes Private 4 Year
  • SU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Wilkes #414
  • SU #528
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Wilkes -
  • SU United Methodist
  • Status
  • Wilkes Non-profit
  • SU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Wilkes
  • SU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Wilkes $43,496
  • SU $36,950
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Wilkes $43,496
  • SU $36,950
  • Room & Board
  • Wilkes $16,166
  • SU $12,490
  • Average Net Price
  • Wilkes $28,511
  • SU $27,181
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Wilkes $28,324
  • SU $24,747
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Wilkes 100%
  • SU 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Wilkes 7,660
  • SU 4,200
  • Admitted
  • Wilkes 6,943
  • SU 3,232
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Wilkes 90.6%
  • SU 77%
  • Enrolled
  • Wilkes 9.3%
  • SU 16.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Wilkes 1140
  • SU 1120
  • Typical ACT score
  • Wilkes 25
  • SU 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Wilkes 3.56
  • SU 3.7
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Wilkes A-
  • SU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Wilkes Challenging
  • SU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Wilkes
  • SU
  • ACT Range
  • Wilkes 22/29
  • SU 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • Wilkes 1020/1250
  • SU 1010/1230
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Wilkes Test optional
  • SU Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Wilkes
  • SU Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Wilkes 13:1
  • SU 12:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Wilkes
    • Business (18%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • SU
    • Health Professions (36%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (17%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Biology (4%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Wilkes 58%
  • SU 45%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Wilkes $58,200
  • SU $48,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Wilkes 75%
  • SU 60%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Wilkes $26,000
  • SU $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Wilkes $268
  • SU $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Wilkes 32%
  • SU 30%
  • % Women
  • Wilkes 68%
  • SU 70%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Wilkes Low
  • SU Medium
  • HBCU
  • Wilkes No
  • SU No
  • % White
  • Wilkes 73%
  • SU 59%
  • % Asian
  • Wilkes 3%
  • SU 3%
  • % Black
  • Wilkes 4%
  • SU 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • Wilkes 6%
  • SU 6%
  • % Native American
  • Wilkes 0%
  • SU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Wilkes 0%
  • SU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Wilkes 4%
  • SU 4%
  • % International
  • Wilkes 9%
  • SU 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Wilkes 2%
  • SU 13%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Wilkes 65%
  • SU 61%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Wilkes 20%
  • SU 38%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Wilkes Yes
  • SU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Wilkes No
  • SU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Wilkes Yes
  • SU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Wilkes Yes
  • SU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Wilkes No
  • SU No

Comparable Facts

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

Wilkes University is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wilkes University is located in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
  • Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wilkes University 13:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

Wilkes vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wilkes or SU? 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 Shenandoah University than Wilkes ($27,181 vs. $28,511).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 22.7% lower than at Wilkes University ($12,490 vs. $16,166).
  • Wilkes University is 17.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SU (about $6,546 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $36,950.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.7% higher at Wilkes than at Shenandoah University (about $6,546 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $36,950.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University as at Shenandoah University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 14.5% larger than aid received by Shenandoah University students ($28,324 vs. $24,747).

Wilkes vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wilkes University (1140) is 20 points higher than at SU (1120).
  • Incoming Wilkes students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at SU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wilkes University 1020/1250; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wilkes University 22/29; Shenandoah University 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wilkes - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman SU 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 SU (77%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at Wilkes vs. 16.7% at SU.

Wilkes vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wilkes and SU? 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).

  • Wilkes University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Shenandoah University's (45%).
  • Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than SU graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Shenandoah University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, SU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($258 vs. $268).
  • More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 60%)

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.