George Washington vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Comparable Facts

Compare George Washington University in Washington, DC with Penn State Wilkes Barre in Dallas, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

George Washington University is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (25,374 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Penn State Wilkes Barre is in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• George Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Wilkes Barre is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: George Washington University 13:1; Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1.

George Washington vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Penn State Wilkes Barre than George Washington ($16,621 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Wilkes Barre are 9.7% lower than at George Washington University ($15,274 vs. $16,920).
• George Washington University is 374.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $53,430 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 182.1% higher at George Washington than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $43,704 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Wilkes Barre than at George Washington University (89% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Washington University students is 284.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($37,500 vs. $9,742).

George Washington vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, George Washington or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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 Penn State Wilkes-Barre and George Washington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Washington University (1430) is 220 points higher than at Penn State Wilkes-Barre (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 1350/1500; Penn State Wilkes Barre 1090/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; Penn State Wilkes-Barre - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than George Washington (47.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

George Washington vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington and Penn State Wilkes-Barre? 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).

• George Washington University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Penn State Wilkes Barre's (47%).
• Graduates from George Washington University earn a median of about $25,200 more per year than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,500 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Washington University graduates have a $1,856 lower median loan debt than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates ($24,962 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, George Washington graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates ($258 vs. $277).
• More George Washington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Wilkes-Barre students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 69%)

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.