Academic Comparison between Penn State Behrend and Wilkes

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College and Wilkes University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Penn State Behrend is a four-year, public school located in Erie, 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 Behrend 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 Behrend ($26,958).
  • It is harder to admit to Wilkes than Penn State Behrend.
  • Penn State Behrend has a higher submitted SAT score (1,220) than Wilkes (1,120).
  • Both Penn State Behrend and Wilkes have the same submitted ACT scores (27).
  • Wilkes has more students with 5,381 students while Penn State Behrend has 3,336 students.
  • Penn State Behrend has a lower number of students per faculty with 12 to 1 while Wilkes's ratio is 13 to 1.
  • Penn State Behrend has more full-time faculties with 256 faculties while Wilkes has 162 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend Collegevs.Wilkes University
Erie, PennsylvaniaLocationWilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Carnegie ClassificationDoctoral / Research University
In-State$15,972
Out-Of-State$26,958
2025 Tuition & Fees$43,496
74%% Receiving Financial Aid88%
$11,249Average Amount of Financial Aid$27,309
96.83 %Acceptance Rates90.64 %
14.52 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)9.32 %
1,220SAT Score1,120
27ACT Score27
44 %Graduation Rate63 %
24 %Transfer-out Rate25 %
83 %Retention Rate72 %
3,336Student Population5,381
256Number of Faculties162
12 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 servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services