Engineering at Wilkes University
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
Wilkes University engineering graduates earn $74,654 in their first year—about $10,000 above Pennsylvania's median and landing in the 80th percentile nationally. That's strong initial placement, especially for a school with a 91% acceptance rate. Among Pennsylvania's 21 engineering programs, it sits comfortably in the middle tier, trailing selective schools like Lafayette but outperforming larger state peers.
The concerning pattern is what happens next: earnings slip to $70,860 by year four, a 5% decline when most engineering careers show steady growth. With only 30 graduates in this dataset, this could reflect a few outliers rather than a systemic problem, but it's worth understanding whether graduates face industry-specific challenges or geographic limitations in northeastern Pennsylvania's job market. The $26,000 debt load is right at national norms and manageable at 35% of first-year earnings.
For families considering Wilkes, the first-year outcomes justify the investment, particularly if staying in Pennsylvania matters. But the earnings trajectory deserves a direct conversation with the career services office about long-term placement patterns and alumni career paths before committing.
Where Wilkes University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Wilkes University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Wilkes University graduates earn $75k, placing them in the 80th percentile of all engineering bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (21 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkes University | $74,654 | $70,860 | $26,000 | 0.35 |
| Lafayette College | $76,507 | $92,618 | — | — |
| Elizabethtown College | $73,003 | $82,989 | $27,000 | 0.37 |
| Messiah University | $64,871 | $67,268 | $25,798 | 0.40 |
| Saint Vincent College | $64,499 | — | $27,000 | 0.42 |
| Geneva College | $62,486 | $67,254 | $27,000 | 0.43 |
| National Median | $67,911 | — | $26,056 | 0.38 |
Other Engineering Programs in Pennsylvania
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Pennsylvania schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette College Easton | $62,574 | $76,507 | — |
| Elizabethtown College Elizabethtown | $36,842 | $73,003 | $27,000 |
| Messiah University Mechanicsburg | $40,640 | $64,871 | $25,798 |
| Saint Vincent College Latrobe | $41,100 | $64,499 | $27,000 |
| Geneva College Beaver Falls | $33,610 | $62,486 | $27,000 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Wilkes University, approximately 30% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.