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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre

#1529 in US ranking Dallas, PA
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$21,111
Tuition & fees
$14,440
Avg. aid
$10,286
Receiving aid
93%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
97%
SAT range
1090–1330

Outcomes

Graduation rate
23%
Median salary
$57,191
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre?

Penn State is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Penn State Wilkes-Barre is a campus of the accredited university, not a separately accredited college.

Institutional accreditation is relevant to federal student-aid eligibility and establishes that the university undergoes external review. It does not mean every course will transfer to another institution or that every program meets a particular licensing requirement. Students considering a regulated profession should check any program-specific accreditation and the rules in the state where they expect to work. Those planning to finish at another Penn State campus should also confirm that their proposed courses meet that major's requirements.

What are the admission requirements at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre?

First-year applicants generally apply to Penn State through its undergraduate application process and submit a secondary-school academic record. A high school diploma or recognized equivalent is expected for degree study; academic performance and the courses taken are relevant to review.

Published campus admissions reporting identifies the secondary-school record and GPA as required information, while class rank and recommendations are not generally required. SAT and ACT scores have been considered but not required under the reported policy. Applicants should check the policy for their entry term rather than assuming a test-optional rule will remain unchanged. Applicants educated in another language or country may have additional transcript and English-proficiency requirements.

In the reported first-year admissions cycle, 612 of 631 applicants were admitted, approximately 97%. That is an admission rate, not a guarantee for an individual applicant or for a restricted major. Penn State's announced closure makes the intended entry term particularly important: applicants should verify whether Wilkes-Barre is accepting new students and how an admitted student would complete a degree after spring 2027.

What are the application fees and waivers at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre?

The reported Penn State undergraduate application fee is $65. Applicants should confirm the amount displayed for their application and distinguish this one-time charge from tuition, an enrollment deposit, or orientation costs.

Penn State offers application-fee waivers to eligible applicants, including those who meet applicable financial-need criteria. The application process specifies how to indicate or request a waiver. Applicants who need one should resolve eligibility before paying and submitting, since a later refund should not be assumed. Fees and waiver procedures may differ for international, graduate, or other applicant categories.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre?

Army and Air Force ROTC opportunities have been reported for Penn State Wilkes-Barre students through cooperating host institutions, rather than as units based at Wilkes-Barre. Cross-enrollment arrangements can involve travel, scheduling requirements, and approval by the host program.

ROTC participation and an ROTC scholarship are separate decisions; eligibility, selection, and eventual service obligations depend on the branch and program. Given the campus's announced closure, an interested student should establish which host unit currently accepts Wilkes-Barre students and whether participation can continue from the campus where the student expects to finish.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre?

Transfer applicants use Penn State's transfer admissions process and should provide official records of college-level study. Penn State generally considers credits from accredited institutions, but admission and the application of individual credits toward a chosen degree are separate decisions.

Reported entry options include fall, spring, and summer. The appropriate application route, academic expectations, and deadlines depend on the applicant's prior college work and intended program. Some majors have additional entrance or prerequisite requirements. Penn State's transfer-credit resources can help applicants estimate course equivalencies, but an official evaluation and an adviser's degree audit are needed to establish how credits count toward graduation.

Students with examination or other prior-learning credit should ask how Penn State evaluates the particular credential; a general willingness to consider CLEP, DSST, or other recommended credit does not mean every result satisfies a major requirement. Transfers considering Wilkes-Barre should also request a term-by-term completion plan that accounts for the announced closure.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre?

Penn State students can explore university-wide education-abroad opportunities, but participation is not the same as a program operated by the Wilkes-Barre campus. Penn State options may include longer-term study and shorter faculty-led experiences, subject to each program's eligibility rules.

Before applying, a Wilkes-Barre student should have an academic adviser confirm how proposed credits would satisfy the degree, especially in a tightly sequenced technical major. Program charges, travel expenses, scholarships, and the treatment of existing financial aid need separate review. The campus's closure timetable could also affect when a student can study abroad without delaying completion.

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions Factors

SAT range
1090–1330
4001600
Acceptance rate
97%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
97%
Pennsylvania
81%
US
78%

15% of admitted students enrolled (92 of 612)

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions

Applicants
Total: 631
Admission
Total: 612
Enrolled
Total: 92
Women
Men

How to Apply to Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Application fee

$65

Early Decision

No

Early Action

Yes, deadline November 1

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 78
Out-of-state: 12
International: 2

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 92
Transfer: 31

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admission Requirements

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

1.09%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

24.14%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

Yes

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Neither required nor recommended

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Considered but not required

Recommendations

Neither required nor recommended

Formal demonstration of competencies

Neither required nor recommended

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

ROTC-Air Force

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

Study abroad

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

No

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

No

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.