University of North Carolina Asheville vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina Asheville in Asheville, NC 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 University of North Carolina Asheville based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 3,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Asheville is located in Asheville, NC (Small City setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina Asheville 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 North Carolina Asheville 13:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of North Carolina Asheville 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 North Carolina Asheville than Wake Forest ($13,798 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina Asheville are 24.3% lower than at Wake Forest University ($13,992 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 801.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of North Carolina Asheville (about $60,141 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $7,501.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 172.2% higher at Wake Forest than at University of North Carolina Asheville (about $42,793 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $24,849.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina Asheville than at Wake Forest University (90% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 721.5% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Asheville students ($63,117 vs. $7,683).

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of North Carolina Asheville 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 University of North Carolina Asheville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 200 points higher than at University of North Carolina Asheville (1270).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 26 at University of North Carolina Asheville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Asheville 1170/1360; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Asheville 23/29; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of North Carolina Asheville - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of North Carolina Asheville Aug 1, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• University of North Carolina Asheville has a higher acceptance rate (91.9%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.7% at University of North Carolina Asheville vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of North Carolina Asheville 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 North Carolina Asheville's (61%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $39,300 more per year than University of North Carolina Asheville graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Asheville graduates have a $2,359 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($20,641 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, University of North Carolina Asheville graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($213 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of North Carolina Asheville students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 61%)

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.