LRC vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare La Roche University in Pittsburgh, PA with Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wilkes University is larger than LRC based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 2,153 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Roche University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large Suburban setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• La Roche University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: La Roche University 11:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

LRC vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LRC or Wilkes? 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 La Roche University than Wilkes ($24,108 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Roche University are 17.2% lower than at Wilkes University ($13,390 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 27.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than LRC (about $9,444 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $34,052.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.7% higher at Wilkes than at La Roche University (about $9,444 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $34,052.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at La Roche University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 22.7% larger than aid received by La Roche University students ($28,324 vs. $23,083).

LRC vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LRC or Wilkes? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Wilkes and LRC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Wilkes University (1140) is 70 points higher than at LRC (1070).
• Incoming Wilkes students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 18 at LRC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 940/1200; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: La Roche University 15/22; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LRC - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LRC Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Wilkes students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at LRC (3.2).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than LRC (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at LRC vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

LRC vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LRC and Wilkes? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Wilkes University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than La Roche University's (51%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than LRC graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilkes University and LRC graduates have the same median loan debt ($26,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Wilkes University and LRC graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($268 vs. $268).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LRC students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 62%)

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.