Wilkes Ranked 30th of 213 Colleges and Universities in the State
Wilkes University is among the top colleges in Pennsylvania whose graduates have the highest income 10 years after enrolling. Wilkes was ranked number 30 on the list, published by Lehigh Valley Live, using data from U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard. The list looks at the 213 colleges in Pennsylvania, highlighting the top 50 whose students go on to earn the most.
On average, Wilkes graduates earn $50,300 annually 10 years after beginning their college careers. The dollar amount reflects the median salary of former students who received federal financial aid.
When considering the average annual cost to attend, Wilkes is 10th on the list for affordability – at just $22,975 per year – making it the most affordable school in the region included in the top 50.
“This report illustrates that a college education is the best investment one can make,” said Wilkes President Patrick F. Leahy. “It also addresses what makes Wilkes so unique: we are a private school with a public purpose, offering an affordable education to all who show potential, and our graduates, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college, thrive in rewarding and well-paying careers.”
Of the students who entered Wilkes in 2017, 51 percent are the first in their families to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Approximately 35 percent of Wilkes students are PELL grant eligible, the federal aid program reserved for the most financially needy students. Similar statistics are anticipated for the 2018 incoming class.
In 2015, The Economist named Wilkes 25th in the nation for the value of its education for graduates. The study looked at how much Wilkes graduates earn to what they might have earned had they studied elsewhere.
