Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania |
| Online | wilkes.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Small City |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Wilkes University occupies a 35-acre urban campus in downtown Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, situated along the Susquehanna River and approximately two hours from both Philadelphia and New York City. Founded in 1933 as Bucknell University Junior College, the institution became Wilkes College in 1947 and achieved university status in 1990. The campus combines historic mansions from the city's coal-mining era with modern academic facilities, including the recently expanded Stark Learning Center for sciences and engineering. Wilkes is known for its pharmacy program, engineering departments, and the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business, while maintaining a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum. The university provides traditional dormitory and apartment-style housing options in both historic and contemporary buildings throughout the campus, with most first-year students required to live on campus.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Wilkes is rated within the top 45% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Wilkes University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#478 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#333 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#37 in Best Colleges in Pennsylvania
#35 in Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania
#466 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#41 in Best Value Colleges in Pennsylvania
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1060/1260 |
| ACT | 21/26 |
| GPA | 3.56 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $40 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,600 |
| Other Fees | $1,978 |
| Room and Board | $15,850 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,193 |
| Total One Year Cost | $61,755 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 18% |
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 13% |
| Health Professions | 11% |
| Engineering | 11% |
| Communication | 8% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Wilkes are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=216931 IPEDS survey data for Wilkes University.
Current students may use the Wilkes University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024