Wake Forest vs. BC

Comparable Facts

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

Wake Forest University is larger than BC based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 1,448 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Bridgewater College is in Bridgewater, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bridgewater College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; Bridgewater College 13:1.

Wake Forest vs. BC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest or BC? 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 Bridgewater College than Wake Forest ($11,316 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bridgewater College are 19.7% lower than at Wake Forest University ($14,850 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 320.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than BC (about $51,552 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 320.4% higher at Wake Forest than at Bridgewater College (about $51,552 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $16,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bridgewater College than at Wake Forest University (100% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 33.5% larger than aid received by Bridgewater College students ($63,117 vs. $47,288).

Wake Forest vs. BC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wake Forest or BC? 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 BC and Wake Forest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 280 points higher than at BC (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; Bridgewater College 1020/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; BC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; BC May 1, 2027.
• BC has a higher acceptance rate (91.7%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 10.1% at BC.

Wake Forest vs. BC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest and BC? 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 Bridgewater College's (59%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $34,100 more per year than BC graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than BC graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BC graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BC students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 77%)

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.