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Wilkes University

Name: PERSONALIZED VISIT
Start: 2026-06-02T12:00:00
Location: Wilkes University

Wilkes

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18766

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Health sciencesTight-knitUrban

Known for health sciences

Wilkes University is a private institution in Wilkes-Barre with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1134, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 1.9K undergraduates with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

60% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $63,454 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $27,700.

Established

1933

Motto

"Unity Amidst Diversity"

Mascot

Colonel

Type

Private university

Conference

NCAA Division III athletics

Division

Division III

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91%Acceptance

1134SAT Avg

1,893Students

13:1Student:Faculty

60%Grad Rate

$63,454Earnings 10yr

$27,700Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate91.5%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1134

Reading & WritingMid: 575

510640

MathMid: 570

513630

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 24

2029

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$42,286

Room & Board$16,006

Books & Supplies$400

Total Cost of Attendance$56,956

Average Net Price$27,700

Median Debt at Graduation$26,000

Monthly Payment (10yr)$276

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$23,760

$30–48K$24,199

$48–75K$26,339

$75–110K$29,365

$110K+$31,745

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

30.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.7%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$20,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

Peer Average

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

Burglary

Aggravated Assault

Robbery

Motor Vehicle Theft

Sex Offenses

Arson

Drug Arrests

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (71)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

73%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads

1,893

Gender Split

53% / 47%

Women / Men

First Generation

35%

Pell Grant Recipients

30%

Race & Ethnicity

White 70%

Black 6%

Hispanic 11%

Asian 3%

Two+ 4%

Int'l 6%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate60.3%

Freshman Retention73.5%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$54,128

10 Years$63,454

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports

Intercollegiate sportsConference titlesBasketball seasonBasketballTennisField hockeySoccerSoftballVolleyballIce hockeyGolfSwimmingWrestling wasBasketball championsTennis championsSoccer championsWrestling asWrestling coach

History & Fun Facts

•BUJC attracted many students who were the first members of their families to benefit from higher education as the need for junior colleges arose in urban areas.
•The college opened in downtown Wilkes-Barre, where the first classes were held on the third floor of the Wilkes-Barre Business College building.
•By 1945, the board of trustees formally moved to develop the junior college into a four-year institution.
•In 1972, the Wilkes Barre area experienced the devastation of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Agnes that flooded much of the campus and downtown region.

Source: Wikipedia