Wilkes Admission Requirements

6/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Wilkes-Barre, PA
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#33 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

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Wilkes Admission Overview

Wilkes admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Wilkes admitted 90.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.56 GPA (A-) and SAT 1020-1250 / ACT 22-29. Wilkes is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Wilkes is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Wilkes Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

90.6%

Admission Standards

Challenging

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Wilkes acceptance rate is 90.6%. Last year, 6,943 of 7,660 applicants were admitted. That is the 87th lowest acceptance rate in Pennsylvania.

Admission Selectivity

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

Wilkes is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Wilkes University typically attracts "A-" 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.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Wilkes GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.56

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.56

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Wilkes typically have around a 3.56 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Wilkes is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #36 in Pennsylvania for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Wilkes University freshmen
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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Wilkes SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1020-1250

Freshmen who sent SAT

19%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 530
Math 490
Composite 1020

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 630
Math 620
Composite 1250

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Wilkes typically score around a 1140 SAT (middle 50% 1020–1250) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 66th percentile nationally. Wilkes ranks #69 in the state of Pennsylvania for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1020 to 1250

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Wilkes is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1140 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Wilkes University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1250+	Above 75th	>95%
1140 to 1250	Avg +	91%-95%
1020 to 1140	Avg -	84%-91%
Below 1020	Below mid-50	<84%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Wilkes ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

22-29

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English 20
Math 21
Composite 22

75th Percentile Scores

English 31
Math 29
Composite 29

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Wilkes typically have around a 25 ACT (mid-50 22–29) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 78th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Wilkes places #41 among colleges in Pennsylvania for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 22 to 29

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Wilkes without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 25.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Wilkes University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
29+	Above 75th	>95%
25 to 29	Avg +	91%-95%
22 to 25	Avg -	85%-91%
Below 22	Below mid-50	<85%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

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

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Wilkes chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Wilkes University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	3,873	3,776	7,660
Accepted	3,525	3,409	6,943
Acceptance Rate	91%	90%	91%
Enrolled	330	317	647
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	9%	9%	9%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

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

Wilkes University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Wilkes University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	Yes

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Wilkes is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 90.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.56 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1020-1250); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025