National Ranking Highlights the Power of a Wilkes University Education to Boost Earning Potential

by Kelly Clisham
campus photo featuring the library and greenway

Wilkes University is once again ranked among national universities in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges ranking of American colleges and universities. Wilkes stands at 269 among 435 national universities in the 2024 report. This is the 20th consecutive year Wilkes has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report and its fifth year as a national university.

A new ranking factor for this year stands out as a highlight. U.S. News and World Report recognizes the power of a Wilkes education to boost earning potential: 89% of federal loan recipients who graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Wilkes earn more than the median salary of 25–34-year-olds with only a high school education. Wilkes landed in the top 10% among national universities in this category.

Wilkes continues to rank on the list of Top Performers on Social Mobility, landing in the top 30% of national universities at 114. Social mobility measures how well schools educate and graduate Pell Grant recipients, or students with the greatest financial need.

Wilkes was also recognized by U.S. News and World Report for:

  • Engineering bachelor’s-degree programs among institutions that do not offer doctoral degrees in the engineering field. Wilkes ranks 155 of 273, climbing from 205 last year.
  • The bachelor of science in nursing degree in which Wilkes ranks 319 of 656 institutions, climbing from 413 last year.

“We are glad to be acknowledged by national outlets, though the full story of the student experience at Wilkes goes deeper than the rankings,” says Wilkes University President Greg Cant. “We encourage our students to discover their own path to a successful future while providing them with the academic skills, expert guidance and personalized support they need to thrive on campus and in the world beyond Wilkes.”

Other Recognition

The Princeton Review, a leading tutoring, test prep and college admissions services company, includes Wilkes on its list of schools deemed Best in the Mid-Atlantic. This recognition is based on feedback from students.

Washington Monthly magazine places Wilkes at 279 among 442 national universities.

Money magazine recognizes Wilkes as one of America’s Best Colleges, taking into account quality of education and affordability, as well as outcomes including earnings 10 years after college entry, return on investment and economic mobility. 

Niche, an online platform designed to connect students and families with colleges and schools, offers comprehensive profiles on every school in America. Niche ranks Wilkes among:

  • The top 50% for Best Colleges in the U.S. at 667 of 1537.
  • The top 40% for Top Private Universities in the U.S. at 354 of 936.

The platform also ranks Wilkes statewide among:

  • The top 33% for Best Colleges in Pennsylvania at 33 of 106.
  • The top 40% for Top Private Universities in Pennsylvania at 25 of 70.

With Niche, Wilkes also placed in the top 20% nationally for colleges with the best professors and colleges with the best dorms. The University landed in the top 33% nationally for best colleges with no application fee, most diverse colleges and best small colleges.

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