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Wilkes University

Wilkes University

Wilkes-Barre, PA · City · 1,985 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$27,743
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
62%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
58% typical
$63,454
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,545 typical
91%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
81% typical · not scored
Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
About

Located in the historic downtown of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Wilkes University is a private institution highly regarded for its top-tier professional programs, particularly within the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy, the Passan School of Nursing, and its hands-on engineering and business schools. The campus culture is tight-knit and collaborative, offering an active student experience defined by NCAA Division III athletics, over 80 student organizations, and a strong commitment to community service. What sets Wilkes apart is its unique focus on undergraduate research, allowing first-year students—rather than just graduate students—to work directly alongside faculty mentors on sophisticated, real-world projects. This combination of a supportive, small-college atmosphere with the high-impact academic opportunities of a larger research university makes Wilkes a standout choice for career-minded applicants.

Wikipedia:Wilkes University is a private university in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. It has over 2,200 undergraduates and over 2,200 graduate students. Wilkes was founded in 1933 as a satellite campus of Bucknell University, and became an independent institution in 1947, naming itself Wilkes College, after English radical politician John Wilkes after whom Wilkes-Barre is named. The school was granted university status in January 1990. It is classified among "Doctoral/Professional Universities" (D/PU) and accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Location
Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18766 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
ABE · Lehigh Valley
47 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$43,496
Housing & food (on campus)$16,166
Books & supplies$400
Cost of attendance$56,765
Average net price$27,743
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$43,496
Housing & food (on campus)$16,166
Books & supplies$400
Cost of attendance$56,765
Average net price$27,743
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$25,062
$30–48k
$23,440
$48–75k
$26,432
$75–110k
$27,843
$110k+
$31,638
Merit aid · 2025-26
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$28,097
Share of first-years who get one11%
Source: Wilkes University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
62%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
54%
Back for yr 2
72%
Transferred
26%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
61% graduated · 28% transferred · 11% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$54,128
10 yrs after entry$63,454
Debt
Median at graduation$26,000
Monthly payment$276
Middle 50% owe$7.5k–$27k
90th percentile$32,500
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral/Professional University: 58% graduate within 6 yrs, $55,545 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
91%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1136
R 530–630 · M 490–620
ACT midpoint
24
Comp 22–29 · E 20–31 · M 21–29
SAT middle 50%: 1020–1250
40080012001600

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Wilkes University: Considered (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Wilkes University's Common Data Set for 2025-26 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If Wilkes University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 48%Women 52%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
13 : 1
Pell grant
34%
First-gen
35%
Family income
$62,518
Independent
13%
Age at entry
21.0
Part-time
5%
Race & ethnicity
White
66%
Hispanic
12%
Black
6%
Asian
3%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
8%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Ice Hockey
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Men's · Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$54,128
After 10 yrs
$63,454
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing138
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities60
Business Administration, Management and Operations45
Mechanical Engineering31
Psychology, General30
Biology, General16
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods15
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication14
Finance and Financial Management Services13
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering12
Communication and Media Studies11
Criminology11
Political Science and Government10
Marketing10
Accounting and Related Services9
Hospitality Administration/Management9
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$67M
Full-time faculty
39%
Faculty salary
$9,848/mo
Teaching spend
$11,892
per student
Federal loans
72%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral/Professional University
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if Wilkes University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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