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Wilkes University
Admission at Wilkes University is close to open (90.6%), which shifts the homework to outcomes: check the $63,454 median earnings below before the application.
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Wilkes University sits in Wilkes-Barre proper — a private campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it. International students are a visible presence here — 8.4% of undergraduates come from outside the U.S.
Its highest-earning path is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, where graduates median $92,034 four years out. 34.5% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 1,985 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 71.6% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1023 and 1270 — below the PA middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Wilkes University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Wilkes University received 6,414 applications and admitted 5,866 (91.5%), with 513 enrolling.
You can apply to Wilkes University without scores. Among admitted students who did submit, the middle half landed between 1023 and 1270; applicants below that range often simply apply without them.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 510 | 575 | 640 |
| SAT Math | 513 | 560 | 630 |
| ACT Composite | 20 | 22 | 29 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Wilkes University compares
| Wilkes University | Pennsylvania median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 90.6% | 82% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $43,496 | $33,730 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $63,454 | $62,101 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors Wilkes University: $63,454 median at year ten, versus $62,101 across Pennsylvania institutions.
Cost, size & completion
Tuition runs $43,496 regardless of where you're from. At Wilkes University, that sticker is a starting point for aid talks — not what the median family pays.
Enrollment sits at 1,985 — Wilkes University is one of the smaller campuses on this site.
63.2% graduate within six years. Roughly 37% don't — ask a Wilkes University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Wilkes University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $92,034 |
| Engineering, General | $86,308 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $79,326 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $75,468 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $72,961 |
| Marketing | $71,501 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $70,039 |
| Sociology | $58,006 |
| Biology, General | $57,332 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $57,020 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $52,234 |
| Psychology, General | $48,033 |
Median earnings for these 12 Wilkes University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $63,454 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 30 additional Wilkes University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Wilkes University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1023–1270 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 90.6% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Wilkes University's acceptance rate?
91.5% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 5,866 admitted from 6,414 applicants.
How much does Wilkes University cost?
At Wilkes University, published tuition is $43,496 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is Wilkes University's ceiling, not a quote.
What do Wilkes University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $63,454 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Pennsylvania
- Wilson College — 92.1% admitted
- Westminster College — 92.6% admitted
- Western Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing — 100% admitted
- Waynesburg University — 89.8% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.