Wilkes vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

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

West Virginia University is larger than Wilkes based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 5,381 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wilkes University is located in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wilkes University 13:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

Wilkes vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wilkes or WVU? 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 West Virginia University than Wilkes ($15,169 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia University are 9.8% lower than at Wilkes University ($14,582 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 330.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $33,392 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52% higher at Wilkes than at West Virginia University (about $14,888 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $28,608.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at West Virginia University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 129.1% larger than aid received by West Virginia University students ($28,324 vs. $12,363).

Wilkes vs. WVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wilkes University (1140) is 20 points higher than at WVU (1120).
• Incoming Wilkes students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at WVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wilkes University 1020/1250; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wilkes University 22/29; West Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wilkes - Test optional; WVU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at WVU (3.45).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than WVU (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at Wilkes vs. 24.8% at WVU.

Wilkes vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wilkes and WVU? 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 West Virginia University's (57%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than WVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $50,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia University graduates have a $1,999 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($24,001 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, WVU graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($248 vs. $268).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 59%)

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.