Wilkes University

6/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Wilkes-Barre, PA
0 reviews

#33 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

5,381

Location Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Website wilkes.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Small City

Best Colleges Rank

#414

Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
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.

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Ratings

Wilkes is rated within the top 41% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10.

Overall Rating

6 out of 10
Academics

7 out of 10
Resources

7 out of 10
Outcomes

7 out of 10
Value

6 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for Wilkes University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

Best Colleges in the U.S.

#414
Best Private Colleges in the U.S.

#297
Best Colleges in Pennsylvania

#35
Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

#33
Best Value Colleges in the U.S.

#441
Best Value Colleges in Pennsylvania

#43

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Challenging

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1020/1250
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 22/29
GPA 3.56

Acceptance Rate

90.6%

Applications Due -
Enrollment Rate 9.3%
Application Fee $40

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$43,496

Costs for Wilkes University
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$43,496
Books and Supplies		$400
Other Fees		$1,978
Room and Board		$16,166
Budget for Other Expenses		$3,193
Total One Year Cost		$65,233

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$58,200 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

58% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Wilkes University are Business, Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Health Professions. 18% of students major in Business, 13% in Liberal Arts and Humanities, and 11% in Health Professions.