Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
91.5% Acceptance Rate
Wilkes University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
91.5%Acceptance Rate
3.56Avg GPA
1134Avg SAT
25Avg ACT
$56,956Annual Cost
$63,454Grad Salary
29.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
91.5%
Avg GPA
3.56
Avg SAT
1134
Avg ACT
25
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1023–1270
ACT Middle 50%
20–29
Need-Based Aid
29.8% receive Pell
Wilkes University (PA) is a private institution that emphasizes professional preparation and mentorship. Admissions focus on academic record and the candidate's desire for a personalized learning environment. They look for students who show potential for growth, self-advocacy, and engagement in extracurricular professional development.
Wilkes University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Wilkes University is inclusive by design. 91.5% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 91.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.56 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.36 – 3.55
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.11
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Wilkes University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Wilkes University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of December 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 118 days left — Early Action (non-binding)
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Wilkes reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Early Action (non-binding)
December 1
Doctor of Pharmacy (guaranteed-seat) priority
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (Priority scholarship consideration begins late January (exact date not published)) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Wilkes GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Wilkes is 3.56. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.26 and 3.56? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.76–3.96.Wilkes GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.56 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.36 – 3.55
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.16 – 3.35
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.15
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Wilkes is test-optional for Fall 2026 applicants across all majors and charges no undergraduate application fee.
- Nursing requires a 3.30 cumulative high school GPA plus algebra, biology, and chemistry coursework - a higher bar than the 3.00 GPA required for pre-pharmacy, neuroscience, and other science/engineering majors.
- The Pre-Pharmacy Guaranteed-seat Program requires a 3.00 GPA and a faculty interview for qualified applicants, offering a defined pathway into the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy PharmD program.
- Early Action deadline is Dec. 1 (decision by early January); Priority Admission deadline is Jan. 15 with materials due by Jan. 31, specifically unlocking enhanced financial aid consideration.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Wilkes
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Wilkes University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Wilkes University (Wilkes) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Wilkes. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Wilkes Without SAT or ACT?
Wilkes considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Wilkes University Average SAT Score: 1134
Admitted students at Wilkes University average a 1134 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1134 — Less Competitive
A 1134 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1270 SAT or 29 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Wilkes University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1023? A retake is worth it at Wilkes. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 572 | 513 | 630 |
| SAT Reading | 575 | 510 | 640 |
| SAT Composite | 1134 | 1023 | 1270 |
A score under 1023 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1270+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Wilkes University (Wilkes) with a 1250 SAT?
At 1250, your SAT is squarely in Wilkes's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Wilkes University (Wilkes) ACT Requirements
Wilkes's admitted students average an ACT of 25.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 25 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 25 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 22 | 17 | 27 |
| ACT English | 23 | 18 | 27 |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 20 | 29 |
Can I get into Wilkes University with a 29 ACT?
At 29, you're in the top quarter of Wilkes's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Wilkes weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Wilkes
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into Wilkes is the easy part. What matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Target the Pre-Pharmacy Guaranteed-seat Program's specific bar - 3.00 GPA plus an interview, not just strong grades
Wilkes' guaranteed-seat pathway into its Nesbitt School of Pharmacy PharmD program requires a 3.00 cumulative high school GPA and an interview with department faculty for qualified applicants - a materially lower GPA bar than many competitive direct-entry pharmacy programs nationally, but the faculty interview is a real, non-skippable gate. Prepare specifically for a values- and motivation-focused pharmacy interview (not a generic college interview) if you're aiming for this guaranteed seat, since it's the actual differentiator between qualifying applicants.
Know that Nursing has its own, higher GPA bar and specific coursework - separate from general admission
Wilkes requires a 3.30 cumulative high school GPA for Nursing applicants specifically (higher than the 3.00 required for pre-pharmacy/science programs), along with algebra, biology, and chemistry coursework completed before enrollment. If nursing is a possible pivot from another intended major, front-load these specific courses in high school even if your primary program of interest doesn't require them, so you retain the option without a late scramble.
Hit the Jan. 15 Priority Admission deadline for enhanced aid - not just an earlier decision
Wilkes' Priority Admission deadline (Jan. 15, with supporting materials due by Jan. 31) unlocks priority consideration and enhanced financial aid awards specifically - a materially different benefit from Early Action's Dec. 1 deadline, which only affects decision timing, not aid tier. If maximizing aid matters more to you than an early answer, prioritize hitting Jan. 15 with complete materials over rushing to meet Dec. 1.
If you're applying to Theatre Arts, Musical Theatre, or Theatre Design & Technology, treat the audition/portfolio as the real admissions decision
These programs require a department-level audition and interview (performance tracks) or a portfolio and interview (design/tech track) that function as a parallel, discipline-specific admissions gate on top of general university admission. Prepare and schedule this component as early as possible in your application timeline, since general academic admission to Wilkes does not guarantee placement in these specific programs.
Expert Insight:
A common and costly mistake is treating Wilkes' test-optional, no-fee, holistic-review general admission as evidence that every program follows the same low-friction path - Nursing (3.30 GPA plus specific coursework), Pre-Pharmacy Guaranteed-seat (interview-gated), and the Theatre and Digital Design/Media Art BFA tracks (audition or portfolio required) all carry separate, program-specific requirements layered on top of general admission that a student can miss if they only read the general requirements page.
Wilkes Profile
Full Name
Wilkes University (Wilkes)
City
Wilkes-Barre
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
18766
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Wilkes Degree Worth It?
Whether Wilkes is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $56,500, and graduates see a 3.11% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Wilkes Cost?
Listed tuition runs $56,956/year at Wilkes. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Wilkes, 29.8% receive a Pell Grant and 70.2% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Wilkes on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Wilkes Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Wilkes graduates report a median income of $63,454, about 56% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Wilkes University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Wilkes University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Augustana College | Rock Island, IL | 1133 | 25 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Wilkes University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
Degree Programs at Wilkes
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Wilkes Admissions
Wilkes University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $63,454/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Wilkes University runs high, at roughly $56,956+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
29.8% of Wilkes University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Wilkes University's acceptance rate is 91.5%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Wilkes University students is 3.56, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.26 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Wilkes University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.16 or below makes admission tougher at Wilkes University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Wilkes University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1134, and within the 1023–1270 range, keeps you competitive.
Wilkes University's deadline is December 1 (Early Action (non-binding)). Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Priority scholarship consideration begins late January (exact date not published). That's Wilkes University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
Explore Other Options
Acceptance Rate of all Pennsylvania Colleges
Average SAT Score of Pennsylvania Colleges
Average ACT Score
Admissions deadlines of Colleges in Pennsylvania
Bachelor Programs in Pennsylvania
Test Optional Colleges in Pennsylvania
SAT Score Wise Best Colleges
ACT Score Wise Best Colleges
Rolling Admissions Colleges in Pennsylvania