Elon vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

Compare Elon University in Elon, 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 Elon based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 7,239 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

Elon vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon 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 Elon ($24,401 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elon University are 19% lower than at Wake Forest University ($14,985 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 44% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elon (about $20,684 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $46,958.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44% higher at Wake Forest than at Elon University (about $20,684 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $46,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elon University than at Wake Forest University (77% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 253.3% larger than aid received by Elon University students ($63,117 vs. $17,867).

Elon vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon 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 Elon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 260 points higher than at Elon (1210).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 25 at Elon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• Elon has a higher acceptance rate (66.3%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

Elon vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon 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 Elon University's (82%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $21,000 more per year than Elon graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $56,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Elon graduates ($23,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elon graduates ($237 vs. $240).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elon 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.