Rutgers University-Newark vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare Rutgers University Newark in Newark, NJ with Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rutgers University Newark is larger than Wilkes based on total student enrollment (11,315 students vs. 5,381 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rutgers University Newark is located in Newark, NJ (Large City setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• Rutgers University Newark is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rutgers University Newark 14:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

Rutgers University-Newark vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers University-Newark 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 Rutgers University Newark than Wilkes ($18,276 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rutgers University Newark are 0.6% lower than at Wilkes University ($16,074 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 152.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rutgers University-Newark (about $26,246 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $17,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.3% higher at Wilkes than at Rutgers University Newark (about $6,734 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $36,762.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at Rutgers University Newark (100% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 62.7% larger than aid received by Rutgers University Newark students ($28,324 vs. $17,405).

Rutgers University-Newark vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rutgers University-Newark 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 Rutgers University-Newark.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rutgers University Newark (1150) is 10 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming Wilkes students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Rutgers University-Newark).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University Newark 1030/1270; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University Newark 21/28; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rutgers University-Newark - Test-free; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Rutgers University-Newark (3.23).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Rutgers University-Newark (71.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.1% at Rutgers University-Newark vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Rutgers University-Newark vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rutgers University-Newark 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).

• Rutgers University Newark's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Rutgers University Newark earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Wilkes graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,200 vs. $58,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rutgers University Newark graduates have a $3,785 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($22,215 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Rutgers University-Newark graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($229 vs. $268).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers University-Newark students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 68%)

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.