Davidson vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

Compare Davidson College in Davidson, NC 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 Davidson based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Davidson College is located in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Davidson College 8:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

Davidson vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Davidson 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 Davidson ($24,401 vs. $27,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Davidson College are 7.5% lower than at Wake Forest University ($17,100 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Davidson (about $3,232 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at Wake Forest than at Davidson College (about $3,232 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $64,410.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Davidson College than at Wake Forest University (65% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 22% larger than aid received by Davidson College students ($63,117 vs. $51,755).

Davidson vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Davidson 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 Davidson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Davidson College (1470) is the same as at Wake Forest (1470).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Davidson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 1400/1530; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 31/34; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Davidson - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Davidson Jan 7, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• Wake Forest has a higher acceptance rate (21.7%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.9% at Davidson vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

Davidson vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Davidson 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).

• Davidson 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 $13,700 more per year than Davidson graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $63,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($17,000 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($175 vs. $237).
• More Davidson 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.