Notre Dame vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN with Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Notre Dame is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (13,042 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame 8:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

Notre Dame vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame ($24,401 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Notre Dame are 3.2% lower than at Wake Forest University ($17,900 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Notre Dame (about $2,617 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at Wake Forest than at University of Notre Dame (about $2,617 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $65,025.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Notre Dame than at Wake Forest University (61% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 16.9% larger than aid received by University of Notre Dame students ($63,117 vs. $53,971).

Notre Dame vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Notre Dame (1510) is 40 points higher than at Wake Forest (1470).
• Incoming Notre Dame students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Wake Forest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 1455/1560; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• Wake Forest has a higher acceptance rate (21.7%) than Notre Dame (11.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

Notre Dame vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame 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).

• University of Notre Dame's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Wake Forest University's (88%).
• Graduates from University of Notre Dame earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than Wake Forest graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Notre Dame graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Notre Dame graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($222 vs. $237).
• More Notre Dame 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.