NC State vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC with Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

NC State vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than Wake Forest ($15,522 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 22.5% lower than at Wake Forest University ($14,332 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 668.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $58,843 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 105.9% higher at Wake Forest than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $34,795 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Carolina State University at Raleigh than at Wake Forest University (51% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 440.6% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($63,117 vs. $11,675).

NC State vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NC State 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 NC State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 80 points higher than at NC State (1390).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at NC State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• NC State has a higher acceptance rate (41.7%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

NC State vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $20,000 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $2,218 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($20,782 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($214 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 76%)

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.