Wilkes vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

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

Wilkes University is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wilkes University is located in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wilkes University 13:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

Wilkes vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wilkes or SVU? 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 Southern Virginia University than Wilkes ($24,561 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 38.8% lower than at Wilkes University ($9,894 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 104.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $22,216 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104.4% higher at Wilkes than at Southern Virginia University (about $22,216 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University as at Southern Virginia University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 182.1% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($28,324 vs. $10,041).

Wilkes vs. SVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wilkes University (1140) is 40 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming Wilkes students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at SVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wilkes University 1020/1250; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wilkes University 22/29; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wilkes - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Wilkes (90.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at Wilkes vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Wilkes vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wilkes and SVU? 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 Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $17,600 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $2,346 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($23,654 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($244 vs. $268).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 53%)

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.