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Wilkes University

Since 1933, Wilkes has been preparing students for lifelong success. National rankings recognize our commitment to access and making a Wilkes education as affordable as possible, while highlighting our ongoing return on investment for graduates.

We’re excited about our future, with promising students like you joining dedicated faculty and staff to write the next pages in the Wilkes University story. We’re also proud of our history, building on the past to encourage continued success.

Wilkes University is a private university in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. It has over 2,200 undergraduates and over 2,200 graduate students (both full and part-time).[3] Wilkes was founded in 1933 as a satellite campus of Bucknell University, and became an independent institution in 1947, naming itself Wilkes College, after English radical politician John Wilkes after whom Wilkes-Barre is named. The school was granted university status in January 1990. It is classified among "Doctoral/Professional Universities" and accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

The school mascot is a Colonel and the official colors are blue and yellow. The campus symbol is a letter "W" known as the "flying W" by students and alumni.

Wilkes University was first established in 1933 by Bucknell University under the name Bucknell University Junior College (BUJC) in Wilkes-Barre. Frank G. Davis, chair of the Education department at Bucknell, first developed the idea of BUJC and served as an early liaison between BUJC and Bucknell.[14] BUJC attracted many students who were the first members of their families to benefit from higher education as the need for junior colleges arose in urban areas.[8] The college opened in downtown Wilkes-Barre, where the first classes were held on the third floor of the Wilkes-Barre Business College building. By 1934, the business college moved out of the building and BUJC had taken it over and continued to grow over the years, acquiring old mansions for student housing, classrooms, and administration offices along the streets of South River and South Franklin. By 1945, the Board of Trustees formally moved to develop the junior college into a four-year institution.

In 1947, Wilkes College was instituted as an independent, nondenominational four-year college, with programs in the arts, sciences, and a number of professional fields, as well as numerous extracurricular activities.[13] The student body in the postwar period was primarily composed of Luzerne County residents, especially G.I. bill recipients. In the 1950s, increasing numbers of students elected to live on campus, which led to a rapid expansion in on-campus student housing. Increased federal funding for science and engineering in the 1950s led the college to develop academic programs in those areas, build the Stark Learning Center, and increase enrollment.

Late Twentieth Century
Wilkes College became Wilkes University in December 1989, and the school officially received university status a month later, in January 1990.

Wilkes University opened the School of Pharmacy in 1996, and in 1999, through a donation from Mrs. Geraldine Nesbitt Orr, the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy was established.

The Thomas P. (Pettus) Shelburne Jr. Telecommunications Center was built under the guidance of chief engineer Carl Brigido and dedicated by Wilkes University in the lower level of the Start Learning Center in 1996. Secured after a major gift from Shelburne's widow Catherine and family and fundraising efforts of long time Communication Studies professors, Dr. Bradford L. Kinney and Thomas Bigler. This was the second television studio on campus, previously located in two small rooms on the second floor of the Stark Learning Center. The Shelburne Center became the first dedicated space built with first use equipment for the direct purpose of media education with multiple editing bays, two studio spaces, educational break out teaching space and director offices and storage. The Shelburne Center served for twenty years as the pre-curser to the Clayton and Theresa Karambelas Media and Communications Center dedicated in 2017 that consolidated all of the University media holdings for instruction.

2000s /Early Twenty-first Century
The Jay S. Sidhu School of Business & Leadership was created in 2004, and the university purchased a 80,000 sq ft (7,400 m2) building in downtown Wilkes-Barre. to house the expanding school. Initially named the Center on Main the building houses the Sidhu School of Business and Leadership, an indoor track and field, and ropes course. August 11, 2021, the Center on Main was formally named after Ron and Rhea Simms to be known as Simms Center on Main.

The Henry Student Center was expanded in 2005.

By 2014, Wilkes University grew to include eight academic buildings, 20 residence halls, nine administrative buildings, and other facilities such as the Eugene S. Farley Library, the Henry Student Center, and athletic complexes.

On April 17, 2015 Wilkes University dedicated the main university mailroom facility located on the second floor of the Henry Student Center as the Edward Elgonitis Sr. Mailroom or simply "Eddie's Mailroom" in honor of the thirty-three year dedicated Wilkes University staff member.

August 31, 2017 the University dedicated the Clayton and Theresa Karambelas Media and Communication Center, built within the structure of the original Bartikowsky Jewelers building on 25 West South Street by the Sordoni Contractors to be the first constructed to hold all the university media instruction holdings into one consolidated building. The building also houses the Sordoni Art Gallery that moved from its original location on the first level of the Stark Learning Center.

March 2020 Wilkes University temporarily suspended in-person instruction and evacuated the campus as a safety measure to address the global COVID-19 pandemic. Under the leadership of alumnus, Interim President Dr. Paul S. Adams '77 the university continued basic operations and was able to safely re-open following strict protocols. Commencement for the Class of 2020 was postponed and eventually held in-person along with the Class of 2021.

Important Facts

12:1
student-to-faculty ratio

45
majors

98%
job placement rate

Ranking / Awards

Accreditations
Wilkes University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which was most recently reaffirmed in 2020. Professional accreditations and affiliations include:


American Chemical Society
Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs
Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
American Society of Health-System Pharmacist Commission on Credentialing
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master's degree in nursing/Doctor of Nursing Practice/, and post graduate APRN certificate programs at Wilkes University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
More information about academic programs with accreditation or certification.

Rankings and Recognitions
For 90 years, Wilkes has been dedicated to preparing students for lifelong success by providing an education they’ll value for life. We’re open and accepting to all. And we always will be. Many renowned organizations have recognized this commitment. Read on for our national rankings and recognitions.

Brookings Institution
Ranked 14th overall in helping students improve their income after graduation -- read more about Brookings Institution

The Economist
25th in the nation for economic value
U.S. News and World Report
Ranked for 19 consecutive years -- read more about U.S. News and World Report

Ranked #234 of national universities
Top performer for social mobility
A+ school for B students
Ranked #413 of BSN programs
Ranked #205 of engineering bachelor’s-degree programs 
Washington Monthly
Ranked #245 of national universities
Recognized for "Best Bang for the Buck," highlighting schools that help students pursue a marketable degree at an affordable price
Niche
Based on rigorous analysis of academic, admissions, financial, and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education along with millions of reviews from students and alumni.

Best college in America (ranked 747)
Top private university in America (ranked 446)
Best value college in America (ranked 425)
The Princeton Review
Best northeastern college
Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education
Wilkes was one of 800 schools from across the country on the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education ranking of the Best Colleges in 2021.
G.I. Jobs Magazine
Proud military friendly school for ten consecutive years -- learn why
CollegeNET Social Mobility Index
Top ranked institution in Luzerne County for educational access and opportunity and within top 25 percent of independent institutions ranked nationally - read more about CollegeNET
Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce
Top 10% in return on investment for graduates

Features

  • Ranking: 401
  • Ranking: 251
  • Type of Accommodation: On Campus

Financials

Annual Cost of living 14000 USD /year
Average Annual UG Fee 42268 USD
Average Annual PG Fee 19512 USD
Application Fee N/A

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Contact Information

  • 84 W South St, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766, United States
  • To know more contact PSA toll free number 18002585772

Programs Offered

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4+1 MBA

  • Length 05 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 211340 USD
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Accounting BS

  • Length 04 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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BA/MA in Creative Writing

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  • Total Tuition Fee 211340 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Biochemistry BS

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Bioengineer­ing, MS

  • Length 01 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 19512 USD
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Biology BS

  • Length 04 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
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Cannabis Chemistry BS

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
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Chemistry BS

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Civil Engineering BS

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
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Communica­tion Studies BA

  • Length 04 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
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Computer Information Systems BS

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
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Computer Science BS

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
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Corporate Finance BS

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Creative Writing MA

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  • Total Tuition Fee 19512 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Creative Writing MFA

  • Length 04 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Criminology BS

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
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Digital Design and Media Art BA

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Digital Design and Media Art BFA

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
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Earth and Environmental Science BA

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Electrical Engineering BS

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
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Electrical Engineering, MS

  • Length 01 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 19512 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Elementary & Early Education BS

  • Length 04 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Elementary and Early Childhood Education BA

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Engineering Management BS

  • Length 04 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Engineering Management, MS

  • Length 01 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 19512 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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English BA

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Environmental Engineering BS

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Environmental Science BS

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Financial Investments BS

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Geology BS

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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History BA

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Individualized Studies BA

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Individualized Studies BS

  • Length 04 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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International Relations BA

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Management BBA

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Marketing BA

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Mathematics BS

  • Length 04 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Mathematics, MS

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  • Total Tuition Fee 19512 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Mechanical Engineering BS

  • Length 04 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
  • Average processing time 20 days
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Mechanical Engineering BS/MS

  • Length 05 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 211340 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
  • Average processing time 20 days
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Mechanical Engineering, MS

  • Length 01 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 19512 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Medical Laboratory Science BS

  • Length 04 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Middle Level Education BA

  • Length 04 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Musical Theatre BFA

  • Length 04 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Neuroscience BS

  • Length 04 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Nursing (BSN)

  • Length 04 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
  • Average processing time 20 days
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Philosophy BA

  • Length 04 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
  • Average processing time 20 days
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Physics BS

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Political Science BA

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
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Psychology BA/MBA

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  • Total Tuition Fee 211340 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Psychology BA/MBA

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  • Total Tuition Fee 211340 USD
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Psychology BS

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
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Secondary Education BA

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
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Sociology BA

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Spanish BA

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Special Education BA

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Sports Management BS

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  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
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Theatre Arts BA

  • Length 04 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
  • Average processing time 20 days
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Theatre Design and Technology BA

  • Length 04 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee 169072 USD
  • Application Fee 35 USD
  • Average processing time 20 days
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