Wilkes University is a private nonprofit 4-year college in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania with 1,985 undergraduates. It admits 91% of applicants, costs an average of $25,799 a year after grants and graduates 59% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
Wilkes University acceptance rate and admissions
Wilkes University admitted 91% of applicants for fall 2024. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Considered but not required (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
The colored band is the middle 50% of enrolled students in fall 2024 (reading and writing 530 to 630, math 490 to 620). The tick marks the typical 4-year college. Check how your scores fit.
Wilkes University application deadlines 2026-27
| Round | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Early action | Nov 29, 2026 |
| Rolling admission | Applications reviewed as they arrive |
Next deadline: Early action, Nov 29, 2026. Application fee through the Common App: free for U.S. applicants. Confirm dates on Wilkes University’s admissions page; see every college on the deadline calendar.
Source: Common App 2026-27 first-year deadlines, fees and requirements grid, updated Sep 25, 2026.
Wilkes University tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees (2025-26) | $44,742 |
|---|---|
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $16,650 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $57,565 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $25,799 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $25,799 a year after grants and scholarships, $31,766 less than the full cost of attendance.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run Wilkes University's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
Wilkes University graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 59% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $75,038 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $26,682 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 36% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
Wilkes University majors and what graduates earn
Wilkes University awarded bachelor's degrees in 38 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from nursing ($92,034).
All 38 majors at Wilkes University
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at Wilkes University
19 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 19 graduate programs
| Program | Degree | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | Master's | 356 | $114,556 | $43,904 |
| Teacher education by subject | Master's | 152 | n/a | n/a |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design | Master's | 119 | n/a | n/a |
| Pharmacy | Professional doctorate | 68 | $109,959 | $66,000 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | Master's | 65 | $67,443 | $41,000 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | Master's | 51 | n/a | n/a |
| Education leadership | Master's | 48 | $93,502 | n/a |
| Business administration | Master's | 43 | $78,876 | $27,402 |
| Education leadership | Doctoral | 38 | n/a | n/a |
| Nursing | Professional doctorate | 23 | n/a | n/a |
| Teacher education by grade level | Master's | 22 | $63,562 | $20,627 |
| Teaching English as a second language | Master's | 17 | $62,352 | n/a |
| Special education | Master's | 8 | n/a | n/a |
| Mechanical engineering | Master's | 4 | n/a | n/a |
| Engineering-Related Fields | Master's | 4 | n/a | n/a |
| Nursing | Doctoral | 2 | $127,191 | $34,690 |
| Mathematics | Master's | 1 | n/a | n/a |
| Education, Other | Master's | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Biomedical engineering | Master's | 0 | n/a | n/a |
Students and location
- 1,985 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 52% women, 48% men
- 13 students for every faculty member
- Setting: small city
- Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at Wilkes University?
Wilkes University admitted 91% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does Wilkes University cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $44,742. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $25,799 a year in 2024-25.
What SAT score do you need for Wilkes University?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 530 to 630 in reading and writing and 490 to 620 in math, and 22 to 29 on the ACT. Scores inside these ranges are typical for admitted students.
Is Wilkes University test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, Wilkes University reported that test scores were: considered but not required. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at Wilkes University?
59% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do Wilkes University graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $75,038 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in Pennsylvania · Wilkes University on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.