Barnard vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

Compare Barnard College in New York, NY with Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wake Forest University is larger than Barnard based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 3,487 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Barnard vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Barnard 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 Barnard ($24,401 vs. $26,407).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wake Forest University are 14.8% lower than at Barnard College ($18,494 vs. $21,714).
• Barnard College is 3.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wake Forest (about $2,246 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.3% higher at Barnard than at Wake Forest University (about $2,246 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wake Forest University than at Barnard College (35% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 0% larger than aid received by Wake Forest University students ($63,131 vs. $63,117).

Barnard vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Barnard 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 Barnard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Barnard College (1520) is 50 points higher than at Wake Forest (1470).
• Incoming Barnard students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 33) as students at Wake Forest (33).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Barnard College 1470/1560; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Barnard College 32/34; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Barnard - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Barnard Jan 4, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• Wake Forest has a higher acceptance rate (21.7%) than Barnard (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68.6% at Barnard vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

Barnard vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Barnard 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).

• Barnard College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Wake Forest University's (88%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than Barnard graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $66,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Barnard College graduates have a $5,153 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($17,847 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Barnard graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($184 vs. $237).
• More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wake Forest students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 88%)

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.