RPI vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

Compare Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, 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 RPI based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

RPI vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI 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 RPI ($24,401 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 2% lower than at Wake Forest University ($18,120 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $3,561 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at Wake Forest than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $3,561 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Wake Forest University (95% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 45% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($63,117 vs. $43,517).

RPI vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RPI 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 RPI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 30 points higher than at RPI (1440).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at RPI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

RPI vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's (84%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Wake Forest graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($237 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wake Forest students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.