AU vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

AU vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Wake Forest? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wake Forest University than AU ($24,401 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 2.8% lower than at Wake Forest University ($17,982 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 15.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than AU (about $8,871 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.1% higher at Wake Forest than at American University (about $8,871 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University than at Wake Forest University (67% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 73.6% larger than aid received by American University students ($63,117 vs. $36,349).

AU vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Wake Forest? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Wake Forest and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 100 points higher than at AU (1370).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at AU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• AU has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

AU vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Wake Forest? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Wake Forest University's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than American University's (77%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $12,400 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($237 vs. $250).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.