Brandeis University vs. Wake Forest

Deciding between Brandeis University and Wake Forest University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Brandeis University
Wake Forest University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Brandeis University Waltham, MA
  • Wake Forest Winston-Salem, NC
  • Setting
  • Brandeis University Small City
  • Wake Forest Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Brandeis University 5,205
  • Wake Forest 9,322
  • Type
  • Brandeis University Private 4 Year
  • Wake Forest Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Brandeis University #91
  • Wake Forest #49
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Brandeis University -
  • Wake Forest -
  • Status
  • Brandeis University Non-profit
  • Wake Forest Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Brandeis University
  • Wake Forest
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Wake Forest $67,642
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Wake Forest $67,642
  • Room & Board
  • Brandeis University $19,944
  • Wake Forest $18,494
  • Average Net Price
  • Brandeis University $43,550
  • Wake Forest $24,401
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Brandeis University $42,841
  • Wake Forest $63,117
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Brandeis University 62%
  • Wake Forest 35%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Brandeis University 10,462
  • Wake Forest 18,727
  • Admitted
  • Brandeis University 4,237
  • Wake Forest 4,058
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Brandeis University 40.5%
  • Wake Forest 21.7%
  • Enrolled
  • Brandeis University 17.3%
  • Wake Forest 36.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Brandeis University 1460
  • Wake Forest 1470
  • Typical ACT score
  • Brandeis University 32
  • Wake Forest 33
  • Average High School GPA
  • Brandeis University 3.84
  • Wake Forest -
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Brandeis University A-
  • Wake Forest -
  • Admissions Standards
  • Brandeis University Exceptional
  • Wake Forest Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • Brandeis University Low
  • Wake Forest Very High
  • ACT Range
  • Brandeis University 31/34
  • Wake Forest 32/34
  • SAT Range
  • Brandeis University 1390/1520
  • Wake Forest 1410/1520
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Brandeis University Test optional
  • Wake Forest Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Brandeis University
  • Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Brandeis University 10:1
  • Wake Forest 10:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Brandeis University
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Wake Forest
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Brandeis University 91%
  • Wake Forest 88%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Brandeis University $66,700
  • Wake Forest $77,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Brandeis University 82%
  • Wake Forest 88%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Brandeis University $27,000
  • Wake Forest $23,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Brandeis University $279
  • Wake Forest $237
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Brandeis University 44%
  • Wake Forest 43%
  • % Women
  • Brandeis University 56%
  • Wake Forest 57%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Brandeis University High
  • Wake Forest Medium
  • HBCU
  • Brandeis University No
  • Wake Forest No
  • % White
  • Brandeis University 47%
  • Wake Forest 72%
  • % Asian
  • Brandeis University 13%
  • Wake Forest 5%
  • % Black
  • Brandeis University 5%
  • Wake Forest 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • Brandeis University 7%
  • Wake Forest 7%
  • % Native American
  • Brandeis University 0%
  • Wake Forest 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Brandeis University 0%
  • Wake Forest 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Brandeis University 3%
  • Wake Forest 3%
  • % International
  • Brandeis University 20%
  • Wake Forest 7%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Brandeis University 5%
  • Wake Forest 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Brandeis University 27%
  • Wake Forest 12%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Brandeis University 56%
  • Wake Forest 84%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Brandeis University Yes
  • Wake Forest Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Brandeis University No
  • Wake Forest No
  • Meal Plan
  • Brandeis University Yes
  • Wake Forest Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Brandeis University No
  • Wake Forest No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Brandeis University No
  • Wake Forest No

Comparable Facts

Compare Brandeis University in Waltham, MA 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 Brandeis University based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 5,205 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Brandeis University vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Brandeis University 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 Brandeis University ($24,401 vs. $43,550).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wake Forest University are 7.3% lower than at Brandeis University ($18,494 vs. $19,944).
  • Brandeis University is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wake Forest (about $438 more per year; $68,080.00 vs. $67,642.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Brandeis University than at Wake Forest University (about $438 more per year; $68,080.00 vs. $67,642.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Brandeis University than at Wake Forest University (62% vs. 35%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 47.3% larger than aid received by Brandeis University students ($63,117 vs. $42,841).

Brandeis University vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Brandeis University 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 Brandeis University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 10 points higher than at Brandeis University (1460).
  • Incoming Wake Forest students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Brandeis University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brandeis University 1390/1520; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brandeis University 31/34; Wake Forest University 32/34.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Brandeis University - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
  • Brandeis University has a higher acceptance rate (40.5%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.3% at Brandeis University vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

Brandeis University vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Brandeis University 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).

  • Brandeis University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Wake Forest University's (88%).
  • Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than Brandeis University graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $66,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Brandeis University graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Brandeis University graduates ($237 vs. $279).
  • More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Brandeis University students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 82%)

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.