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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Dallas, PA · Rural · 313 students
4
Year
Public
Rural
Small (<3k)
Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
About

Penn State Wilkes-Barre, situated on the scenic, historic Hayfield House estate in Dallas, Pennsylvania, offers prospective students the unique advantage of earning a prestigious Big Ten degree within a highly supportive, close-knit campus environment. The campus is best known for its specialized, ABET-accredited Surveying Engineering baccalaureate program—one of the few of its kind in the nation—alongside highly regarded four-year degrees in Business, Information Technology, and Criminal Justice. Student life is defined by a personalized and collaborative culture, featuring small class sizes, direct faculty mentorship, and active participation in collegiate athletics and diverse student organizations. Additionally, the campus stands out for its seamless integration with the broader university system, offering the popular "2+2 plan" that allows students to complete their first two years in Dallas before transitioning to University Park or another Penn State campus to finish any of the university's 275+ majors.


Wikipedia:Penn State Wilkes-Barre is a commonwealth campus of Pennsylvania State University located in Lehman Township, Pennsylvania. The campus was established in 1916, but in May 2025 Penn State officials announced it would close after the Spring 2027 semester, citing low enrollment and financial losses.

Location
Dallas, PA, 18627-0217 · Rural campus
Nearest airport from college
ABE · Lehigh Valley
54 mi away
Cost
In-state COA
$25,994
Out-of-state COA
$35,720
Avg net price
$16,448
In-state tuition
$14,280
Out-of-state tuition
$24,006
Books & supplies
$1,200/yr
Average net price by family income
$0–30k
$9,795
$30–48k
$11,760
$48–75k
$15,570
$75–110k
$17,530
$110k+
$22,027
Admissions
Admit rate
97%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
1200
Reading 550680
Math 540650
SAT range (25th–75th percentile)
40080012001600

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Essay Requirements

This school does not appear to use the Common Application. Check the school's admissions website directly for essay requirements and application instructions.

See the current Common App essay prompts for the personal statement options.

Outcomes
Graduation rate
19%
4-yr on-time completion
17%
1st-yr retention
81%
Transfer-out rate
46%
8-year outcomes
Graduated
20%
Transferred
65%
Still enrolled
1%
Dropped out / unknown
13%
Median earnings (6yr)
$55,620
Median earnings (10yr)
$63,435
Median debt
$25,000
Monthly loan payment
$265
Debt range (25th–75th)
$8,750$27,000
Debt (90th percentile)
$34,000
Student Body
Men 66%Women 34%
10
:
1
Student : Faculty ratio
Students   Faculty
Pell grant recipients
39%
First-generation
29%
Median family income
$61,924
Independent students
20%
Veterans
0%
Avg age at entry
21.0
Part-time students
8%
Race & ethnicity
White
75%
Hispanic
9%
Black
10%
Asian
2%
Two or more
3%
Unknown
1%
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings for graduates across all programs
6 years after entry
$55,620
10 years after entry
$63,435
Information Science/Studies12
Business/Commerce, General7
Criminal Justice and Corrections6
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering3
Surveying Engineering3
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions3
Business/Corporate Communications2
Psychology, General1
Human Resources Management and Services1
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Endowment
$10M
Full-time faculty
69%
Avg faculty salary
$9,188/mo
Instructional spend/student
$5,378
Federal loan rate
54%

Wondering if Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre is the right fit for you?

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