Tulane vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

Compare Tulane University of Louisiana in New Orleans, LA with Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tulane University of Louisiana is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (13,310 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tulane University of Louisiana is located in New Orleans, LA (Large City setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Tulane University of Louisiana is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tulane University of Louisiana 7:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

Tulane vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tulane 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 Tulane ($24,401 vs. $47,427).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wake Forest University are 2% lower than at Tulane University of Louisiana ($18,494 vs. $18,868).
• Tulane University of Louisiana is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wake Forest (about $1,036 more per year; $68,678.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Tulane than at Wake Forest University (about $1,036 more per year; $68,678.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tulane University of Louisiana than at Wake Forest University (60% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 59.2% larger than aid received by Tulane University of Louisiana students ($63,117 vs. $39,654).

Tulane vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tulane 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 Tulane.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 10 points higher than at Tulane (1460).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Tulane).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tulane University of Louisiana 1400/1520; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tulane University of Louisiana 31/34; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tulane - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tulane Jan 15, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• Wake Forest has a higher acceptance rate (21.7%) than Tulane (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.3% at Tulane vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

Tulane vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tulane 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).

• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Tulane graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $74,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $4,529 lower median loan debt than Tulane graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,529).
• Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tulane graduates ($237 vs. $284).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tulane students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 62%)

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.