Colgate vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, 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 Colgate based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

Colgate vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colgate 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 Colgate ($24,401 vs. $28,736).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 4.8% lower than at Wake Forest University ($17,610 vs. $18,494).
• Colgate University is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wake Forest (about $2,664 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Colgate than at Wake Forest University (about $2,664 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colgate University than at Wake Forest University (43% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 8.2% larger than aid received by Colgate University students ($63,117 vs. $58,334).

Colgate vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colgate 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 Colgate.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colgate University (1490) is 20 points higher than at Wake Forest (1470).
• Incoming Colgate 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: Colgate University 1430/1540; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 33/34; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colgate - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• Wake Forest has a higher acceptance rate (21.7%) than Colgate (13.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

Colgate vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colgate 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).

• Colgate University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Wake Forest University's (88%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Colgate graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $75,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $6,875 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($16,125 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($166 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 86%)

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.