Centre College vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

Compare Centre College in Danville, KY 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 Centre College based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 1,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Centre College is located in Danville, KY (Distant Town setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Centre College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Centre College 10:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

Centre College vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centre College 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 Centre College than Wake Forest ($23,860 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Centre College are 20.8% lower than at Wake Forest University ($14,640 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 28.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Centre College (about $14,822 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $52,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.1% higher at Wake Forest than at Centre College (about $14,822 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $52,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Centre College than at Wake Forest University (100% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 43.4% larger than aid received by Centre College students ($63,117 vs. $44,015).

Centre College vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Centre College 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 Centre College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 160 points higher than at Centre College (1310).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 28 at Centre College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Centre College 1160/1450; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Centre College 25/32; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Centre College - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Centre College Jan 15, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• Centre College has a higher acceptance rate (54.4%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Centre College vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

Centre College vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Centre College 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 Centre College's (82%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $24,700 more per year than Centre College graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $52,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Centre College graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Centre College graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Centre College students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 79%)

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.