Maryland vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland College Park in College Park, MD with Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Maryland College Park is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (41,725 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland College Park is located in College Park, MD (Large Suburban setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Maryland College Park is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland College Park 17:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

Maryland vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Maryland 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 University of Maryland College Park than Wake Forest ($16,581 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland College Park are 13.7% lower than at Wake Forest University ($15,958 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 472.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Maryland (about $55,833 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $11,809.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.2% higher at Wake Forest than at University of Maryland College Park (about $26,456 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $41,186.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland College Park than at Wake Forest University (55% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 390.5% larger than aid received by University of Maryland College Park students ($63,117 vs. $12,867).

Maryland vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Maryland 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 Maryland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland College Park (1470) is the same as at Wake Forest (1470).
• Incoming Maryland students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 33) as students at Wake Forest (33).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 1400/1530; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 32/35; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Maryland - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• Maryland has a higher acceptance rate (44.8%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Maryland vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

Maryland vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Maryland 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 University of Maryland College Park's (82%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Maryland graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $68,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland College Park graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Maryland graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($201 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Maryland students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 80%)

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.