Wilkes University
Wilkes University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Wilkes University at a Glance
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 ac…
1933
93 years old
$66M
$65.8 million (2021)
2,245
157
35 acres
Identity
Is Wilkes University Worth It?
At a value score of 35/100, Wilkes University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $63,454 — 18% above average — while paying $27,743/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 62% graduation rate means roughly 38% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 91% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Wilkes University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Wilkes University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #67 of 143 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #3 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #4 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #5 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #6 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #67 | Wilkes University | 35 | $27,743 | $63,454 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Wilkes University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 14 in PA.
Best Programs at Wilkes University
The highest-earning program at Wilkes University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $63,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Sociology at $28,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Wilkes University earns $63,800, while a Sociology graduate earns $28,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $25,462 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Sociology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $27,743/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $63,800 | $63,800 | $25,462 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $51,500 | $51,500 | $26,000 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $50,800 | $50,800 | $25,356 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $42,300 | $42,300 | $24,879 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $33,900 | $33,900 | $25,000 |
| Psychology, General | $30,000 | $30,000 | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $29,900 | $29,900 | $25,000 |
| Sociology | $28,000 | $28,000 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Student Body
- 1,985 students
- Admission Rate
- 91%
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $27,743
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $63,454
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000