Wilkes-Barre, PAprivate nonprofitwww.kings.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 81%–96% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, is a small, walkable Catholic liberal arts college with a pragmatic, career-focused heart. It's defined by its exceptionally high acceptance rate and a student body heavily concentrated in health professions and business, supported by a faculty where 92% hold terminal degrees. The vibe is one of a tight-knit, accessible community where students are more likely to be found in a study group for anatomy than debating philosophy in the quad, aiming squarely for stable, middle-class careers in Pennsylvania and beyond.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Getting into King's College is not the challenge; the college operates with what sources describe as a "nearly open admissions" policy. The is exceptionally high, with 93% of applicants typically admitted. The middle 50% SAT range for admitted students who submit scores is 1070–1270, and the average high school GPA is around 3.27. The admissions process is not selective, and while the college may offer an early decision or early action option for students who want a decision earlier, the regular decision acceptance rate matches the overall figure. There is no available source specifying that demonstrated interest is a formal, considered factor in the admissions process at King's College.
Academics at King's are intensely practical, with a sharp focus on direct career pathways. The most popular majors are overwhelmingly in and . The college offers 56 majors total, supported by a notably low student-to-faculty ratio of 11.3:1. This intimate scale is bolstered by a highly credentialed faculty; 92% hold the highest degree in their field, and 60% hold tenure. The academic culture is one of close mentorship, where faculty are described as advising on courses and co-leading research with students. It's a place where professional preparation is the clear priority, grounded in a liberal arts framework.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
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Life on campus is built around a compact, walkable, and self-contained community that the college itself describes as "attractive, safe, and exclusively walkable." This fosters a strong sense of belonging for both residents and commuters. Extracurricular life is active but not overwhelming, featuring numerous clubs, weekend events, intramural sports, and a Greek life presence that is characterized as "low-key." Social media glimpses show a typical dormitory experience with students gathering in common areas for study and socialization. The overall atmosphere is one of a supportive, mid-sized college community where it's easy to get involved and find your niche without the pressure of a massive, impersonal student body.
King's College produces graduates who reliably enter the solid middle-class workforce. The median earnings for alumni ten years after starting are $59,498. Earlier career outcomes are also positive, with graduates reporting median earnings of approximately $67,122 four years after graduation, and other sources citing average salaries around $56,371. The college reports a first-year retention rate of 76%, indicating most students are satisfied enough to return. The six-year graduation rate is 65%, with a four-year graduation rate of 58%. These figures paint a picture of a college that successfully shepherds the majority of its students to a degree and into careers with stable, above-average earning potential.
The sticker price at King's is offset by substantial institutional aid for most students. The average after aid and scholarships is $23,093 per year. This significant discount is achieved because the average institutional aid package is $34,880, and over 80% of students receive financial aid. The college provides a net price calculator to help families estimate their actual cost. While the college actively provides financial aid offers to admitted students, there is no source information indicating that King's College has a policy of meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students or a "no-loan" policy where aid packages exclude loans.
King's College stands out for its unambiguous mission: it is an accessible, teaching-focused Catholic college that serves as a direct pipeline to reputable careers in healthcare and business. Its identity is not built on exclusivity or cutthroat academics, but on providing a high-quality, supportive, and practical education to a broad range of students. The combination of a 92% terminal-degree faculty with an 11:1 student ratio means students get serious mentorship without having to fight for attention. In a landscape of hyper-selective institutions, King's offers a compelling alternative—a place where the barrier to entry is low, the path to a degree is clear and supported, and the outcome is a degree that translates efficiently into a paycheck. It's a college for doers, not dilettantes.