Colorado College vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO 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 Colorado College based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 2,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado College is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Colorado College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado College 9:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

Colorado College vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado 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 Wake Forest University than Colorado College ($24,401 vs. $36,123).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado College are 13.4% lower than at Wake Forest University ($16,020 vs. $18,494).
• Colorado College is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wake Forest (about $3,092 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.6% higher at Colorado College than at Wake Forest University (about $3,092 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado College than at Wake Forest University (56% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 24.2% larger than aid received by Colorado College students ($63,117 vs. $50,834).

Colorado College vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 120 points higher than at Colorado College (1350).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Colorado College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado College 1230/1460; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado College 29/33; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado College - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado College Jan 15, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• Wake Forest has a higher acceptance rate (21.7%) than Colorado College (18.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.3% at Colorado College vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

Colorado College vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado 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).

• The graduation rate at Colorado College is the same as at Wake Forest University (88% vs. 88%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $31,200 more per year than Colorado College graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Colorado College graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($211 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado College students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.