Wake Forest vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC with Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 9,322 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

Wake Forest vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest or Carnegie Mellon? 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 Carnegie Mellon ($24,401 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carnegie Mellon University are 1.8% lower than at Wake Forest University ($18,166 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carnegie Mellon (about $1,396 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Wake Forest than at Carnegie Mellon University (about $1,396 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $66,246.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carnegie Mellon University than at Wake Forest University (51% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 31.2% larger than aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students ($63,117 vs. $48,107).

Wake Forest vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wake Forest or Carnegie Mellon? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Carnegie Mellon and Wake Forest.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 70 points higher than at Wake Forest (1470).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Wake Forest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Wake Forest University 32/34; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Wake Forest has a higher acceptance rate (21.7%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Wake Forest vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest and Carnegie Mellon? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Wake Forest University's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $25,500 more per year than Wake Forest graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($23,000 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($237 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wake Forest students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.