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
Earnings Distribution
How Wilkes University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkes University | $74,654 | $70,860 | -5% |
| Lafayette College | $76,507 | $92,618 | +21% |
| Elizabethtown College | $73,003 | $82,989 | +14% |
| Messiah University | $64,871 | $67,268 | +4% |
| Geneva College | $62,486 | $67,254 | +8% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (21 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Wilkes UniversityWilkes-Barre | $42,286 | $74,654 | $70,860 | $26,000 | 0.35 |
 Lafayette CollegeEaston | $62,574 | $76,507 | $92,618 | — | — |
 Elizabethtown CollegeElizabethtown | $36,842 | $73,003 | $82,989 | $27,000 | 0.37 |
 Messiah UniversityMechanicsburg | $40,640 | $64,871 | $67,268 | $25,798 | 0.40 |
 Saint Vincent CollegeLatrobe | $41,100 | $64,499 | — | $27,000 | 0.42 |
 Geneva CollegeBeaver Falls | $33,610 | $62,486 | $67,254 | $27,000 | 0.43 |
| National Median | — | $67,911 | — | $26,056 | 0.38 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with engineering graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Engineers, All Other
Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
Mechatronics Engineers
Microsystems Engineers
Photonics Engineers
Robotics Engineers
Nanosystems Engineers
Wind Energy Engineers
Solar Energy Systems Engineers
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.