Penn State York vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare Penn State York in York, 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 York based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 677 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State York is located in York, PA (Midsize Suburban setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• Penn State York is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State York 14:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

Penn State York vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State York 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 York than Wilkes ($18,887 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State York are 5.5% lower than at Wilkes University ($15,274 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 186% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State York (about $28,288 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.3% higher at Wilkes than at Penn State York (about $18,104 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at Penn State York (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 223.5% larger than aid received by Penn State York students ($28,324 vs. $8,756).

Penn State York vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State York 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 York.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State York (1150) is 10 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming Penn State York students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Wilkes (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State York 1050/1245; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State York 22/28; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State York - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Wilkes - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Penn State York has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Wilkes (90.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.7% at Penn State York vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Penn State York vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State York 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 York's (45%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Penn State York 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 York graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Wilkes graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State York graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State York 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.