Academic Comparison between Wilkes and Penn State

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

  • Wilkes is a private (not-for-profit) and Penn State is a public 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 (1,120) than Wilkes (1,120).
  • Penn State has higher submitted ACT score (27) 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

Wilkes Universityvs.Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Wilkes-Barre, PennsylvaniaLocationUniversity Park, Pennsylvania
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Doctoral / Research UniversityCarnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
$43,4962025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$20,644
Out-Of-State$41,790
88%% Receiving Financial Aid50%
$27,309Average Amount of Financial Aid$14,013
90.64 %Acceptance Rates60.56 %
9.32 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)17.11 %
1,120SAT Score1,330
27ACT Score30
63 %Graduation Rate86 %
25 %Transfer-out Rate2 %
72 %Retention Rate93 %
5,381Student Population50,737
162Number of Faculties4,174
13 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio16 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, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, On-campus daycare