Academic Comparison between Penn State and Wilkes

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus and Wilkes University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Penn State is a four-year, public school located in University Park, PA and Wilkes is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Penn State is a public and Wilkes is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Wilkes has more expensive tuition & fees ($43,496) than Penn State ($41,790).
  • It is harder to admit to Penn State than Wilkes.
  • Penn State has a higher submitted SAT score (1,330) than Wilkes (1,120).
  • Penn State has higher submitted ACT score (30) than Wilkes (27).
  • Penn State has more students with 50,737 students while Wilkes has 5,381 students.
  • Wilkes has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while Penn State's ratio is 16 to 1.
  • Penn State has more full-time faculties with 4,174 faculties while Wilkes has 162 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campusvs.Wilkes University
University Park, PennsylvaniaLocationWilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationDoctoral / Research University
In-State$20,644
Out-Of-State$41,790
2025 Tuition & Fees$43,496
50%% Receiving Financial Aid88%
$14,013Average Amount of Financial Aid$27,309
60.56 %Acceptance Rates90.64 %
17.11 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)9.32 %
1,330SAT Score1,120
30ACT Score27
86 %Graduation Rate63 %
2 %Transfer-out Rate25 %
93 %Retention Rate72 %
50,737Student Population5,381
4,174Number of Faculties162
16 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services