Wilkes-Barre, PA Overview
Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. There are currently 1,904 undergraduates at Wilkes and the school’s acceptance rate is 94%. The tuition at Wilkes is $41,112.
City
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
1,904
Pell Grant 31%
Undergrad Students Over 25 9%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 5%
Percent Male / Female 47% / 53%
Ethnic Diversity at Wilkes
72% White
10% Hispanic
6% International / Non-Citizen
5% Black
3% Multiracial
2% Asian / Pacific Islander
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
13:1
Graduation Rate
59%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Health Professions & Related Programs
21%
21% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
17%
17% of graduates
Engineering
13%
13% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
11%
11% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
7%
7% of graduates
Social Sciences
6%
6% of graduates
Psychology
5%
5% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
5%
5% of graduates
Education
4%
4% of graduates
English Language & Literature
2%
2% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
1%
1% of graduates
Physical Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
1%
1% of graduates
Engineering
1%
1% of graduates
Mathematics
1%
1% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
1%
1% of graduates
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$61,755
$34,201
$27,554
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$61,755for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at Wilkes is $61,755. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Wilkes would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Using State Grants at Wilkes
Pennsylvania residents considering Wilkes should be sure to look at Pennsylvania state grant programs. Two of the biggest educational grant programs in PA are PHEAA and TIP. PHEAA offers funding for Pennsylvania students who are enrolled at least half-time in an institution and program approved by PHEAA. Students must meet certain academic and financial criteria in order to qualify. TIP, also known as PA-TIP, offers funding to students pursuing a degree in a field that the state designates as high-demand. Here are those fields in 2024:
- Energy
- Health
- Advanced Materials and Diversified Manufacturing
- Agriculture and Food Production
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Pennsylvania scholarships
Wilkes University Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Wilkes University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Wilkes University is 003394.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Pell Grants at Wilkes University
38% of students at Wilkes University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Wilkes University.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Wilkes students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions Snapshot
94%
24
1105 is the median SAT score and 24 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Wilkes. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.
Is Wilkes test-optional?
Wilkes University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Wilkes University?
Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Wilkes University receive between a 21 and a 26 on their ACT, or a 1010 and a 1220 on their SAT.
Early Decision
Rolling deadline at Wilkes
Wilkes University accepts applications on a rolling basis. That means that the earlier you submit your application, the better chance you have of gaining admission and strong financial aid. Many schools with rolling admissions have priority deadlines, which means that students that submit their application before these dates have a better chance of receiving financial aid. Be sure to check Wilkes's website to become familiar with their admissions dates.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
Graduate Income
$63,454
Median Debt $26,000
Debt 10 years after graduation $276
Graduation Rate 59%
What is the graduation rate at Wilkes University?
59% of students who start at Wilkes University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 1% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Wilkes University go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Wilkes University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $63,454. This is $13,063 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Wilkes take out in loans?
Graduates of Wilkes have to take out a median of $26,000 in federal student loans. This is $12,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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