Penn State Berks vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State Berks in Reading, 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 Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 1,884 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State Berks is located in Reading, PA (Rural Fringe setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• Penn State Berks is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State Berks 13:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

Penn State Berks vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State Berks 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 Penn State Berks than Wilkes ($23,721 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks are 10.5% lower than at Wilkes University ($14,474 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 172.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Berks (about $27,524 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.3% higher at Wilkes than at Penn State Berks (about $16,538 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at Penn State Berks (100% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 201.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($28,324 vs. $9,405).

Penn State Berks vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State Berks or Wilkes? 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 Wilkes and Penn State Berks.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Berks (1180) is 40 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming Wilkes students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at Penn State Berks).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Berks 1090/1275; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State Berks 18/27; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State Berks - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Penn State Berks (3.39).
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Wilkes (90.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Penn State Berks vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Penn State Berks vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State Berks and Wilkes? 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).

• Wilkes University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Penn State Berks's (55%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Penn State Berks graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilkes University graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Berks graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Wilkes graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Berks graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Berks students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.