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#31 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

Wilkes Admission Requirements

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

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Your chances of getting into Wilkes University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

91.5%
Admission Difficulty for Wilkes University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Wilkes is 91.5%.  Its admission rate is the 92nd lowest in Pennsylvania.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Wilkes and can you get accepted?

Wilkes University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 5,866 out of the 6,414 who applied were admitted.

Wilkes University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.56. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 9% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Wilkes?

91% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Wilkes University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.56 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1150 on the SAT
  • Score 24 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Wilkes GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.56

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Wilkes University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Wilkes are to have around a 3.56 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.56 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Wilkes accepts 91% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Wilkes is 3.56 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #38 in Pennsylvania for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Wilkes is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Wilkes University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 17.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 27.3% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 22.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 13.8% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 8.4% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 7.3% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 4.2% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Calculate My Chances 

Wilkes SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Wilkes University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 27% of students submitted SAT scores and 2% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1023-1270

Applicants Submitting SAT 

27%
SAT Scores for Wilkes University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 510
Math 25th Percentile 513
Composite 25th Percentile 1023
SAT Scores for Wilkes University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 640
Math 75th Percentile 630
Composite 75th Percentile 1270
Average SAT Score 1150

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Wilkes University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Wilkes is 1150 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1023-1270. Students who get into Wilkes University score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers..  Wilkes ranks #66 in the state of Pennsylvania for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1150 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Wilkes regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1023 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1023, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 900, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Wilkes University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1150 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1146, you have around a 91% chance of being admitted. A 1270 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 95% chance of getting in.

Wilkes University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1270 and Above Good >95%
1146 to 1270 Avg + 91%-95%
1023 to 1146 Avg - 84%-91%
900 to 1023 Reach 74%-84%
Less than 900 Low <74%
Calculate My Chances 

Wilkes ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

20-29 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

2%
ACT Scores for Wilkes University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 18
Math 25th Percentile 17
Composite 25th Percentile 20
ACT Scores for Wilkes University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 27
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 29
Average ACT Score 24

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Wilkes?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Wilkes is 24, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 20 and 29.  The school ranks #51 in Pennsylvania for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 24. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 20 and score in the score in the top 49 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 16.

2 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Wilkes University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Wilkes University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Wilkes for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 24 score has around 91% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 95% with a 29 ACT score.

Wilkes University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
29 and Above Good >95%
24 to 29 Avg + 91%-95%
20 to 24 Avg - 85%-91%
16 to 20 Reach 76%-85%
Less than 16 Low <76%
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High School Class Rank

51% of Wilkes University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 20% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Wilkes University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 20%
Top 25% of class 51%
Top 50% of class 80%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Wilkes University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 2,790 3,624 6,414
Accepted 2,629 3,237 5,866
Acceptance Rate 94% 89% 91%
Enrolled 239 274 513
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 9% 8% 9%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Wilkes University is $40.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Wilkes University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Wilkes University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Required to be considered for admission
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Wilkes University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Wilkes University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.56 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1150 and ACT of 24 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Wilkes University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=216931 IPEDS survey data for Wilkes University.

Last updated February 24, 2025