Swarthmore College vs Wilkes University
Swarthmore College is a private college in Swarthmore, PA, and Wilkes University is a private university in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Swarthmore College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 7% of applicants against 91% at Wilkes University. Swarthmore College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $23,149 a year against $27,743 at Wilkes University. About 93% of students graduate at Swarthmore College, compared with 62% at Wilkes University. Ten years after enrolling, Swarthmore College alumni earn a median of about $80,257, against $63,454 for Wilkes University.
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Swarthmore College or Wilkes University harder to get into?
- Swarthmore College is harder to get into. It admits about 7% of applicants, compared with 91% at Wilkes University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Swarthmore College or Wilkes University?
- Swarthmore College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,149 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $27,743 at Wilkes University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Swarthmore College and Wilkes University?
- Before aid, Wilkes University costs about $56,765 a year and Swarthmore College about $84,103. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Swarthmore College or Wilkes University?
- Swarthmore College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,690 there, against about $25,062 at Wilkes University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Swarthmore College or Wilkes University?
- Wilkes University is the larger of the two, with about 1,985 undergraduates against 1,613 at Swarthmore College.
- Does Swarthmore College or Wilkes University have a better graduation rate?
- Swarthmore College has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 62% at Wilkes University.
- Do graduates of Swarthmore College or Wilkes University earn more?
- Swarthmore College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $80,257 ten years after enrolling, against about $63,454 for Wilkes University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Swarthmore College and Wilkes University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Swarthmore College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Wilkes University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Swarthmore College and Wilkes University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1490–1560 at Swarthmore College and 1020–1250 at Wilkes University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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