Wilkes University vs Bloomsburg State

Wilkes University and Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in Pennsylvania, offer distinct educational experiences. Wilkes, a private university, boasts a lower acceptance rate (69%) compared to Bloomsburg's 84%, indicating a more selective admissions process. In terms of student body size, Wilkes has a smaller undergraduate population of around 2,300 students, while Bloomsburg hosts a larger community of over 7,000 undergraduates. While Wilkes excels in Nursing, Business, and Education programs, Bloomsburg shines in fields like Communications, Social Sciences, and Engineering. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Wilkes at 75% and Bloomsburg at 68%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania	Wilkes University
Overview
Location	Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania	Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	75.0%	75.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	90.1%	94.8%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $35 Graduate: $35	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $45
SAT range	N/A	1040 - 1250
ACT range	N/A	20 - 28
Students submitting SAT score		30.0%
Students submitting ACT score		5.0%
Total number of applicants	6,466	4,019
Total number of admissions given out	5,826	3,809
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,407	556
Yield rate	24.2%	14.6%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $24,800 Out of state: $36,624	$55,207
Average net price	$16,738	$30,155
Tuition	In state: $7,716 Out of state: $19,290	$37,994
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,108 Meal plan: $3,610	Room/dormitory: $9,492 Meal plan: $6,206
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	61.0% Average amount $6,347	96.0% Average amount $26,371
Students receiving federal student loan	67.0% Average amount $5,198	84.0% Average amount $5,594
Students taking out private loans	19.0% Average amount $13,250	32.0% Average amount $16,328

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	7,063 Men 38.9% Women 61.1%	2,232 Men 45.5% Women 54.5%
Graduate students	676 Men 26.8% Women 73.2%	3,044 Men 22.5% Women 77.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Low
Out-of-state students	9.8%	26.5%
International students	0.3%	2.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	3,570	1,184
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Pennsylvania New Jersey New York Maryland Delaware	Pennsylvania New Jersey New York Maryland Connecticut

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Education Business Communication and Journalism Law Enforcement and Firefighting	Education Health Professions Liberal Arts Engineering Business
Students to faculty ratio	19:1	13:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	59.4%	61.4%
Dropout rate	13.8%	11.2%
Transferred out	26.1%	26.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $115,619 Year 2: $134,287 Year 3: $115,460 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $76,030 Year 2: $83,768 Year 3: $91,411 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,914 Year 2: $58,221 Year 3: $70,125 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,356 Year 2: $65,876 Year 3: $67,013 Educational/Instructional Media Design (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,014 Year 2: $57,860 Year 3: $63,182 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,480 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $60,922 Health/Medical Preparatory Programs (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $30,149 Year 2: $37,208 Year 3: $56,647 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $55,434 Year 2: $54,382 Year 3: $56,488 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,048 Year 2: $48,935 Year 3: $55,410 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,179 Year 2: $43,707 Year 3: $51,724	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $126,057 Year 2: $133,171 Year 3: $124,927 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $107,920 Year 2: $110,559 Year 3: $119,036 Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,305 Year 2: $53,984 Year 3: $65,444 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,200 Year 2: $53,219 Year 3: $64,060 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,705 Year 2: $52,733 Year 3: $63,832 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,105 Year 2: $65,035 Year 3: $63,464 Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,835 Year 2: $52,941 Year 3: $59,300 Education, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,977 Year 2: $49,631 Year 3: $56,693 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $53,044 Year 2: $53,099 Year 3: $55,573 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,218 Year 2: $44,776 Year 3: $55,534

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Wilkes University and Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania?

Wilkes University is a private university known for its smaller class sizes and focus on personalized attention, while Bloomsburg University is a public university within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), offering a more traditional state school experience with a larger student body and broader range of programs. Wilkes often emphasizes career-focused programs and experiential learning, while Bloomsburg provides a more comprehensive liberal arts education alongside professional programs.
How do the tuition costs compare between Wilkes University and Bloomsburg University?

Generally, Wilkes University, as a private institution, has a higher tuition cost compared to Bloomsburg University, which benefits from state funding. However, Wilkes offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid packages that can significantly reduce the net cost. Bloomsburg offers lower tuition rates, especially for Pennsylvania residents, making it a more affordable option for in-state students. It's best to check each university's website for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information and explore available financial aid options.
What types of academic programs are offered at each university?

Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Wilkes University is known for its strong programs in engineering, nursing, pharmacy, and business, along with a growing emphasis on the arts and sciences. Bloomsburg University offers a comprehensive selection of programs in education, business, health sciences, liberal arts, and STEM fields. Bloomsburg is particularly well-regarded for its programs in speech-language pathology and audiology.
What is the campus environment like at Wilkes University versus Bloomsburg University?

Wilkes University has a more intimate campus environment located in the heart of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, offering a blend of urban and campus life. Bloomsburg University boasts a larger, more traditional campus in the town of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, providing a classic college town atmosphere. Bloomsburg's campus is more self-contained, while Wilkes' campus is integrated into the city, offering students easy access to local businesses and cultural attractions.
How do the student populations differ between Wilkes University and Bloomsburg University?

Bloomsburg University has a significantly larger student population compared to Wilkes University. This means larger class sizes in some courses at Bloomsburg, but also a wider variety of student organizations and activities. Wilkes University's smaller size allows for more personalized interaction with faculty and staff. Both universities attract students from Pennsylvania and beyond, but Bloomsburg tends to have a larger proportion of in-state students due to its public university status.
What are the athletic opportunities at Wilkes University and Bloomsburg University?

Both universities offer a variety of athletic opportunities. Wilkes University competes in NCAA Division III athletics, offering a range of varsity sports for men and women. Bloomsburg University competes in NCAA Division II athletics, providing a more competitive athletic environment. Bloomsburg has a strong tradition in sports like wrestling and field hockey. Both universities also offer intramural sports and recreational activities for students of all skill levels.
What kind of student support services are available at each university?

Both Wilkes University and Bloomsburg University provide a comprehensive range of student support services, including academic advising, career services, counseling services, disability services, and tutoring. Wilkes University's smaller size may allow for more individualized attention from support staff. Bloomsburg University, with its larger resources, offers a wider array of specialized programs and services. Both universities are committed to student success and well-being.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of Wilkes University and Bloomsburg University?

Graduates from both Wilkes University and Bloomsburg University find success in a variety of fields. Wilkes University's career-focused programs and emphasis on experiential learning often lead to strong job placement rates in fields like engineering, nursing, and business. Bloomsburg University's graduates are well-prepared for careers in education, health sciences, business, and other fields. Both universities offer career services to help students with internships, job searching, and professional development.
How do the locations of Wilkes University and Bloomsburg University impact student life?

Wilkes University is located in Wilkes-Barre, a small city in northeastern Pennsylvania, offering a blend of urban amenities and a close-knit community. Students have access to local restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions. Bloomsburg University is situated in the town of Bloomsburg, a classic college town, providing a more traditional campus-centered experience. Bloomsburg offers a quieter, more focused environment, while Wilkes-Barre provides a more diverse range of off-campus activities.
What are some unique aspects of Wilkes University and Bloomsburg University?

A unique aspect of Wilkes University is its commitment to personalized learning and its strong focus on career preparation. It also has a well-regarded Nesbitt School of Pharmacy. Bloomsburg University is known for its strong programs in speech-language pathology and audiology, its beautiful campus, and its vibrant student life. Bloomsburg also benefits from being part of the PASSHE system, offering opportunities for collaboration and resource sharing with other state universities.

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