Fisher vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY 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 Fisher based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 3,693 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Fisher vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fisher 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 Wilkes University than Fisher ($28,511 vs. $30,540).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. John Fisher University are 7.8% lower than at Wilkes University ($14,908 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fisher (about $2,306 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $41,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at Wilkes than at St. John Fisher University (about $2,306 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $41,190.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at St. John Fisher University as at Wilkes University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 15.5% larger than aid received by St. John Fisher University students ($28,324 vs. $24,530).

Fisher vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fisher 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 Fisher.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St. John Fisher University (1210) is 70 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming Fisher 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: St. John Fisher University 1120/1300; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. John Fisher University 23/28; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fisher - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Fisher (3.53).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Fisher (66.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at Fisher vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Fisher vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fisher 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).

• St. John Fisher University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Fisher graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St. John Fisher University graduates have a $2,100 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($23,900 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Fisher graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($247 vs. $268).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fisher students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 74%)

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.