SUNY-ESF vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, 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 SUNY-ESF based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 2,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is located in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

SUNY-ESF vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY-ESF 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 SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than Wilkes ($19,814 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilkes University are 10.6% lower than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry ($16,166 vs. $18,080).
• Wilkes University is 367.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $34,193 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.4% higher at Wilkes than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (about $21,233 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $22,263.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 225.6% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($28,324 vs. $8,699).

SUNY-ESF vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY-ESF 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 SUNY-ESF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (1220) is 80 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming SUNY-ESF students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Wilkes).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY-ESF - Test-free; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY-ESF students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Wilkes (3.56).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than SUNY-ESF (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.6% at SUNY-ESF vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

SUNY-ESF vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY-ESF 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).

• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than SUNY-ESF graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduates have a $6,250 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($19,750 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY-ESF graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($204 vs. $268).
• More SUNY-ESF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wilkes students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 75%)

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.