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JMU University of Lynchburg Roanoke College Marywood VCU YCP Marymount University Longwood University Liberty University Widener University-Main Campus Misericordia University Lycoming College| Wilkes University | Shenandoah University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Wilkes | SU | ||
| Location | Wilkes-Barre, PA | Winchester, VA | ||
| Setting | Small City | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 5,207 | 4,260 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #478 | #537 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | United Methodist | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | wilkes.edu | su.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Wilkes | SU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $39,134 | $33,790 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $39,134 | $33,790 | ||
| Room & Board | $15,850 | $11,230 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $27,918 | $26,143 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $29,441 | $23,467 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 97% | 100% |
Admission |
Wilkes | SU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 4,798 | 2,296 | ||
| Admitted | 4,517 | 1,845 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 94.1% | 80.4% | ||
| Enrolled % | 10.6% | 25.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.56 | 3.7 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 21/26 | 19/26 | ||
| SAT Range | 1060/1260 | 1010/1230 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
Wilkes | SU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 13:1 | 11:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Wilkes | SU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 58% | 45% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $58,200 | $48,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 75% | 60% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $26,000 | $25,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $268 | $258 |
Diversity |
Wilkes | SU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 31% | 32% | ||
| % Women | 69% | 68% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 73% | 59% | ||
| % Black | 4% | 11% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 6% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 4% | 4% | ||
| % International | 9% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 13% |
Students |
Wilkes | SU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 75% | 52% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 24% | 48% | ||
Campus |
Wilkes | SU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Wilkes University is larger than than SU based on total student enrollment (5,207 students vs. 4,260 students)
Wilkes vs. SU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Wilkes or SU?
- Wilkes University is 15.8% more expensive to attend than SU for in-state tuition ($39,134.00 vs. $33,790.00)
- Out of state tuition is 15.8% higher at Wilkes than Shenandoah University ($39,134.00 vs. $33,790.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shenandoah University than Wilkes ($26,143 vs. $27,918)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 41.1% lower than costs at Wilkes University ($11,230 vs. $15,850)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Shenandoah University than Wilkes University (100% vs. 97%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 25.5% larger than aid received Shenandoah University ($29,441 vs. $23,467)
Wilkes vs. SU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Wilkes or SU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SU or Wilkes .
- The average SAT score at Wilkes University (1053) is 48 points higher than at SU (1005)
- 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 (94.1%) than SU (80.4%)
Wilkes vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Wilkes or SU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SU and Wilkes.
- The graduation rate at Wilkes is higher than Shenandoah University (58% vs. 45%)
- Graduates from Wilkes University earn on average $9,900 more per year than SU graduates after ten years. ($58,200 vs. $48,300)
- Shenandoah University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Wilkes graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,000)
- SU graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans 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/