Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre

95.3%Acceptance

$14,258Tuition

338Students

17%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$63,435Earnings

Public4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Penn State Wilkes-Barre serves as a regional campus where students can access the Penn State system without the massive scale of University Park. This small branch campus enrolls just 338 students in the rural-fringe setting of Dallas, Pennsylvania. The campus operates on a semester system with a student-faculty ratio of 10:1, allowing for more personalized attention than larger universities. Students can begin their Penn State journey here before potentially transferring to complete their degrees at other Penn State locations.

The financial picture reveals both affordability and concerning outcomes. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay a net price of just $9,544 annually, while those from higher-income families pay around $21,827. With 55.92% of students taking federal loans, the median debt burden reaches $25,000 upon graduation. However, graduates earn a median salary of $63,435 ten years after enrollment, making the monthly loan payment of $265 manageable for most. The employment rate of 95.7% suggests strong job placement despite the campus's small size.

The graduation rates tell a troubling story that prospective students must consider carefully. Only 18.58% of students graduate in four years, and just 16.70% complete their degrees within six years. The 79.34% retention rate indicates many students leave after their first year, though some may transfer to other Penn State campuses to continue their education.

Academics & Faculty

Penn State Wilkes-Barre serves as a regional campus where students can begin their Penn State education close to home. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate learning environment with just 338 students total. Students typically start with general education requirements and popular majors like business, engineering, and liberal arts before many transfer to University Park or other Penn State campuses to complete specialized degrees. The campus functions primarily as a stepping stone in the Penn State system. However, the 16.7% six-year graduation rate reflects challenges many students face in completing their degrees. The small size means personalized attention from professors, but limited on-campus program options compared to the main university.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Full-Time Faculty: 76.9%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 18.6%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 16.7%
Retention Rate: 79.3%
Median Earnings (10 years): $63,435

Campus Life

This rural Pennsylvania campus serves 338 students with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio that creates an intimate learning environment. The Lehman Township location sits about 20 minutes from Wilkes-Barre and roughly two hours from Philadelphia, offering small-town quiet without complete isolation. Students need heavy winter coats for Pennsylvania's snowy months and layers for the humid summers.

With 63% male enrollment, the campus skews heavily toward men, creating a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other. The 79% retention rate reflects students who appreciate the personal attention but also reveals that nearly one in five transfers elsewhere, often to Penn State's main campus after completing foundational coursework. Five varsity sports teams engage 70 total athletes in a low-pressure competitive environment. Weekends often mean traveling to nearby Scranton or Wilkes-Barre for entertainment, as the rural-fringe setting limits on-campus social options. The semester calendar follows Penn State's traditional academic rhythm, with breaks timed for Pennsylvania's seasonal changes.

Setting: Rural-Fringe
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Rape	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 20°–35°F
July Avg: 62°–84°F
Annual Precipitation: 38.7"
Annual Snowfall: 45.1"

Student Demographics

Penn State Wilkes-Barre draws mostly local students from northeastern Pennsylvania who value affordable access to the Penn State system. The campus serves a significant population of first-generation college students, with over one-third receiving Pell Grants. Men outnumber women nearly two to one, reflecting the campus's strength in traditionally male-dominated fields like engineering and business. The student body is predominantly white, mirroring the demographics of the surrounding Wyoming Valley region. Students typically choose this branch campus as an affordable pathway into Penn State's network while staying close to home.

Men: 63.3%
Women: 36.7%
White: 79.6%
Black: 7.7%
Hispanic: 6.5%
Asian: 0.9%
Pell Grant Recipients: 38.3%

Location

Penn State Wilkes-Barre sits in Dallas, Pennsylvania, about 20 miles southwest of Scranton in the rural-fringe Pocono Mountains region. The campus serves just 338 students in an area known for outdoor recreation and former coal mining heritage. Students experience small-town Pennsylvania life with access to hiking, fishing, and seasonal activities in the nearby mountains. The rural-fringe setting means students get countryside tranquility while remaining within driving distance of Scranton's urban amenities. With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, the intimate campus environment contrasts sharply with Penn State's massive main campus. Students considering colleges in Pennsylvania may also compare Penn State Wilkes-Barre with similar schools in the region.

Address: Dallas, Pennsylvania 18627-0217

Hayfield House, Penn State Wilkes-Barre, August

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $63,435
Median Earnings (5 years): $72,964
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $43,600
Loan Repayment Rate: 67.9%
Monthly Loan Payment: $265/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $25,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre?

The acceptance rate is 95.25%, making this Penn State regional campus highly accessible to students. The average SAT score of 1165 shows students arrive with solid academic preparation. This campus serves as a stepping stone for many students who later transfer to Penn State's main campus.

How much does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $15,775, with 38.29% of students receiving financial aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $9,544 after aid. Graduates leave with a median debt of $25,000, which translates to monthly payments of $265.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre?

The student-faculty ratio is 10:1, providing personalized attention in a small campus environment. With only 338 total students, this creates an intimate learning atmosphere unusual for the Penn State system. The retention rate of 79.34% reflects students' satisfaction with the close-knit academic community.

What are the graduation rates at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre?

The 6-year graduation rate is 16.70%, which is low for a Penn State campus. Many students transfer to other Penn State locations before completing their degrees here. However, graduates who do finish earn a median salary of $63,435 within 10 years, with a 95.7% employment rate.

Where is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in Dallas, Pennsylvania, in a rural-fringe setting that offers a quiet study environment. Men make up 63.31% of the student body, creating a male-majority campus. With only 5 varsity sports teams and 70 total athletes, this campus focuses more on academics than athletics.

Does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre offer athletic scholarships?

The school provides $0 in athletic scholarships, reflecting its role as an academically-focused regional campus rather than a sports powerhouse. The 5 varsity teams compete at a modest level with 70 total student-athletes. This allows the campus to concentrate resources on academic programs and small class sizes instead of athletic recruitment.