Wake Forest vs. Case Western

Comparable Facts

Compare Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC with Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Case Western Reserve University is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (12,475 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Case Western Reserve University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Case Western Reserve University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; Case Western Reserve University 9:1.

Wake Forest vs. Case Western Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest or Case Western? 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 Case Western ($24,401 vs. $44,000).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wake Forest University are 1.4% lower than at Case Western Reserve University ($18,494 vs. $18,762).
• Wake Forest University is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Case Western (about $1,034 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $66,608.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Wake Forest than at Case Western Reserve University (about $1,034 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $66,608.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Case Western Reserve University than at Wake Forest University (88% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 50.6% larger than aid received by Case Western Reserve University students ($63,117 vs. $41,913).

Wake Forest vs. Case Western Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Case Western Reserve University (1490) is 20 points higher than at Wake Forest (1470).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 33) as students at Case Western (33).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; Case Western Reserve University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; Case Western Reserve University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; Case Western - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; Case Western Jan 15, 2027.
• Case Western has a higher acceptance rate (36.5%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 11.9% at Case Western.

Wake Forest vs. Case Western Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest and Case Western? 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 Case Western Reserve University's (78%).
• Graduates from Case Western Reserve University earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than Wake Forest graduates about ten years after starting college ($84,700 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $1,066 lower median loan debt than Case Western graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,066).
• Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Case Western graduates ($237 vs. $248).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Case Western students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 84%)

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.