Researching local colleges and universities
High school students anticipating college admissions may often struggle to find their ideal school, especially if they plan on staying local and must therefore look through all of their nearby options. This is why a comprehensive list of colleges and universities local to the Greater Nanticoke Area could provide an easier, more efficient research process.
School Overview
King’s College is located in Wilkes-Barre and is a private, non-profit institution affiliated with the Catholic church that is primarily known for liberal arts and various science programs. Those attending the college have the opportunity to study virtually or on campus, with a midrange acceptance rate of 87% and an undergraduate enrollment of around 2,000 students. King’s has described that they value “transforming minds and hearts with zeal in communities of hope.”
Campus Life
The school has a more urban appeal and its demographics are primarily made up of caucasian students, with smaller percentages of other ethnicities such as Hispanic, Black, Asian, etc. 34% of students attending the college receive a Federal Pell Grant based on income, creating a moderate level of socio-economic diversity. Overall, the school harbors a passionate sense of community while offering a wide variety of on and off-campus activities and volunteering opportunities.
Cost and fees
The average cost of in-state, undergraduate tuition at King’s College is about $38,000, with it rising to about $45,000 for graduate students. Other outside costs raise the final price of attending the school as an undergraduate to about $56,000-$59,000. However, the school accepts and provides a variety of grants and scholarships, with the average cost after aid being in the range of $27,000.
Sports
King’s College is a NCAA Division III school offering an array of sports to both men and women, including football, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and many others. Athletic scholarships may be awarded to prospective students.
General Statistics
Test-Optional: Yes
Undergraduate Majors: 41
Graduate Programs: 9
Athletic Programs: 28
Religious Affiliation: Catholic Church – Holy Cross
Notable Majors: Clinical Sciences, Business Administration and Management, Accounting, Criminal Justice, and Elementary Education.
Find more information about King’s College Wilkes Barre on their website.
School Overview
Misericordia University is a private, Roman-Catholic college located in Dallas, Pennsylvania. The institution is known for its liberal arts programs and pre-professional studies. Students attending the college will have a chance to learn in smaller class sizes of 19 people or fewer, with the typical enrollment total coming to around 2,000. An acceptance rate of 89% serves as a moderately high opportunity for acceptance for prospective students who wish to attend the school that “cultivates a transformational educational experience that promotes intellectual curiosity and critical thinking in a supportive and inclusive community.”
Campus Life
Misericordia University is located in a suburban setting, providing a somewhat industrialized feel in a more natural environment. The campus demographics are primarily comprised of a large population of caucasian students, with much smaller percentages of other races and ethnicities. On campus, students have access to over 40 clubs and organizations, including the Ethics Institute of Northeast Pennsylvania and The Center for Humanity Dignity in Bioethics, Health, and the Holocaust.
Cost and Fees
The total cost of undergraduate tuition at Misericordia University comes to around $34,000, with other outside costs bringing the final cost to around $52,000. However, through scholarships and grants offered by both the school and the state of Pennsylvania, students are often left paying around $26,000.
Sports
Misericordia University is a NCAA Division III school that offers 31 different sports. Aside from the typical football and basketball, the institution has recently begun offering men’s ice hockey, women’s stunts, and both men’s and women’s wrestling.
General Statistics
Test-Optional: Yes
Undergraduate Majors: 37
Athletic Programs: 31
Religious Affiliation: Catholic Church
Notable Majors: Health Services, Nursing, Business Administration and Management, Medical Radiologic Technology, and American Government and Politics.
For more information on Misericordia University, visit their website.
School Overview
Wilkes University is a private, non-profit college located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The school harbors a total undergraduate enrolled population of about 2,000 students within its city-like environment. Wilkes offers both on-campus and virtual courses to any students who are enrolled under their 95% acceptance rate. Students who attend the university will be able to study at a school with a mission of “commitment to professionalism, an example of servant leadership, and an emphasis on human relationships.”
Campus Overview
Wilkes University is centered within a city environment, leaving many resources and places of entertainment scattered in the surrounding area of the campus for students to access. The campus demographics are composed of primarily white students at around 74% and Hispanic students at 7.3%, with students of other racial backgrounds making up much smaller total percentages. Wilkes currently has over 80 different clubs and organizations focusing on academics, culture, sports, and student leadership.
Cost and Fees
Wilkes University has an undergraduate tuition of almost $40,000, with the costs of books, on-campus housing, and other outside expenses bringing the total cost to about $60,000. Typically, after financial aid, the cost of attending Wilkes is nearly $30,000, though other grants and scholarships can bring the cost down as well.
Sports
Wilkes University is a NCAA Division III school that offers 23 different varsity sports. Aside from soccer, football, and basketball, the institution also offers cheerleading, dance, snowboarding, and even ultimate frisbee.
General Statistics
Test-Optional: Yes
Athletic Programs: 23
Religious Affiliation: Nondenominational
Notable Majors: Health Professions, Business, Marketing, Engineering, Liberal Arts, and Biological or Biomedical Sciences.
For more information on Wilkes University, visit their website.
School Overview
Penn State is a public university and the only land-grant institution in the state of Pennsylvania. Its main campus is located in Centre County, PA, with a total of around 40,000 undergraduates and many other campuses scattered throughout the state. The university offers both an online and in-person learning experience in a mostly rural setting. Penn State has an average acceptance rate of about 55% and prides itself on “human and economic development, global understanding, and advancement in professional practice.”
Campus Overview
Despite its rural environment, Penn State is surrounded by a collection of stores and restaurants for students to explore, with a popular favorite being the Penn State Berkey Creamery. The campus is primarily composed of white students at a percentage of 63%, with smaller percentages of international students (11%), Hispanic (8%), Asian (7%), and Black (4%). The school also offers over 1,000 recognized student clubs and organizations, with another 44 fraternities and 27 sororities.
Cost and Fees
The cost of attending Penn State University comes to about $32,600 for in-state residents and around $52,600 for those who do not live in the state of Pennsylvania. After financial aid, the average cost of tuition for attendance comes to almost $28,000 per year.
Sports
Penn State University currently has 29 NCAA Division I sports teams, including basketball and football, and 75 other NCAA Division III teams across the 20 undergraduate campuses. The institution also offers athletics like badminton, bowling, table tennis, and wrestling.
General Statistics
Test-Optional: Yes
Athletic Programs: 29
Religious Affiliation: Nondenominational
Notable Majors: Engineering, Business, Management, Marketing, Computer and Information Sciences, Communications, Journalism, and Biological and Biomedical Sciences.
For more information on Penn State University, visit their website.
School Overview
Bloomsburg University is a public institution located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, and is a part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The school has a total of around 6,800 undergraduate students on average within its campus, which maintains a rural feel in a more urban setting. Bloomsburg has a general acceptance rate of about 90% and values being “well equipped to provide a personalized education catered to students’ interests.”
Campus Overview
Students attending Bloomsburg University can attend live concert performances, gallery showings, and artistic shows. The campus demographics are primarily comprised of a white population of 78.5%, a Hispanic and Latino population of 7.09%, and an African-American population of 5.41%. Bloomsburg has over 200 recognized clubs and organizations, including community service, governance, and performing arts. The school has gradually disbanded its Greek life of fraternities and sororities within the past few years.
Cost and Fees
The cost of attendance at Bloomsburg University comes to around $26,000 per year, with $10,900 being in tuition and $15,100 in other costs. The average cost after financial aid is about $18,800, though state grants and academic scholarships provide the potential for a further lowering of yearly costs.
Sports
Bloomsburg University currently has 23 varsity-level sports in NCAA Division II, including a prolific football team, the Huskies, who have won 20 national championships. The school also offers field hockey, soccer, golf, swimming, and lacrosse.
General Statistics
Test-Optional: Yes
Athletic Programs: 23
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational
Notable Majors: Business, Nursing, Criminal Justice, Corporate Communications, and Psychology.
For more information on Bloomsburg University, visit their website.
School Overview
Luzerne County Community is a public college in the Nanticoke area of northeastern Pennsylvania. The institution, on average, has about 1,400 students, allowing for much more personal connections with staff and professors and more opportunities for one-on-one guidance. Students who apply to join the rural campus generally have a near 100% acceptance rate and are given the ability to settle into a school built upon an idea to “create a higher education institution whose mission is to provide affordable and accessible education for all who desire to learn…”
Campus Overview
LCCC provides a home-town feel in accordance with its high level of accessibility throughout its campus, which is made up of 58.7% white students, 18.3% Hispanic, and 6.8% African American, among other racial demographics. The college has over 20 recognized clubs and organizations on campus, including the Student Government Association and a student radio club.
Cost and Fees
The average cost of attendance at LCCC is $21,000, with $10,000 being in tuition and $11,000 being in other expenses. The cost comes to about $8,600 after aid, though more financial aid opportunities are available to bring the price down even lower.
Sports
Luzerne County Community College is an active participant in both the Eastern Pennsylvania Athletic Conference and the National Junior College Athletic Association in Region XIX. Students who attend the college may join baseball, basketball, cross country, softball, and esports.
General Statistics
Test-Optional: A Placement Test is required for all students before they begin their first semester.
Athletic Programs: 5
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational
Notable Majors: Nursing, Liberal Arts, Humanities, and Business.
For more information on Luzerne County Community College, visit their website.
