Wilkes vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than Wilkes based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 5,381 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wilkes University is located in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wilkes University 13:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Wilkes vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wilkes or VCU? 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 Virginia Commonwealth University than Wilkes ($26,836 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilkes University are 11.4% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($16,166 vs. $18,254).
• Wilkes University is 156.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $26,551 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.4% higher at Wilkes than at Virginia Commonwealth University (about $3,387 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $40,109.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 99.7% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($28,324 vs. $14,186).

Wilkes vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wilkes University (1140) is the same as at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Wilkes).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wilkes University 1020/1250; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wilkes University 22/29; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wilkes - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Wilkes (3.56).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Wilkes (90.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at Wilkes vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Wilkes vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wilkes and VCU? 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 Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($240 vs. $268).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 56%)

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.