Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. graduation rate is below 25% — most students don't finish here. solid earnings of $57,200 within 10 years.
About This School
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre is a public institution located in Dallas, Pennsylvania with approximately 313 undergraduate students enrolled. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 97%. The average net price after financial aid is $16,448 per year. The graduation rate is 23%, and the typical graduate earns $57,200 within 10 years of enrollment.
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.
This campus is best suited for a student who wants Penn State's name at a lower cost and prefers a very small, community-college-like setting — but there's a critical fact every family must know upfront: Penn State has announced this campus will close after Spring 2027, which makes applying here a serious risk for most students. The 23% graduation rate was already a major red flag before that news, and with closure imminent, program offerings, faculty stability, and student support will likely deteriorate further. On the positive side, the average net price of $16,448 per year is genuinely affordable, and median earnings of $57,200 a decade out suggest that students who do finish land on reasonable financial footing. My practical advice is straightforward: unless you are a current student already enrolled, look elsewhere — consider Penn State Scranton or Penn State Hazleton as nearby alternatives that offer the same Penn State degree pathway without the uncertainty of attending a campus in its final semesters of operation.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 17% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (313 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre
44 University Drive
Dallas, PA 18627-0217
Official Links
Other Schools in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA · Public
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA · Public
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA · Public
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA · Public
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit
Community College of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA · Public
See How Colleges Compare
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre has an acceptance rate of 97%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre hard to get into?
Not especially. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre has an acceptance rate of 97%, so admissions are relatively accessible for applicants who meet the requirements.
How much does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre cost?
The average net price at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre is about $16,448 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre?
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a graduation rate of 23%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.