Miami vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL with Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Miami is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (19,852 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Miami vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Miami 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 Miami ($24,401 vs. $45,397).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wake Forest University are 22.3% lower than at University of Miami ($18,494 vs. $23,790).
• Wake Forest University is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Miami (about $5,026 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $62,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8% higher at Wake Forest than at University of Miami (about $5,026 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $62,616.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Miami than at Wake Forest University (79% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 54% larger than aid received by University of Miami students ($63,117 vs. $40,992).

Miami vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Miami 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 Miami.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 70 points higher than at Miami (1400).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Miami).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Miami 1320/1480; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Miami 30/33; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Miami - Required; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Miami Jan 1, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• Wake Forest has a higher acceptance rate (21.7%) than Miami (18.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.3% at Miami vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

Miami vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Miami 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 Miami's (78%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Miami graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $70,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Miami graduates have a $3,154 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($19,846 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Miami graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($205 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Miami students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 75%)

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.