Wake Forest vs. Clemson

Comparable Facts

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

Clemson University is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (29,077 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Clemson University is in Clemson, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clemson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; Clemson University 16:1.

Wake Forest vs. Clemson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest or Clemson? 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 Clemson ($24,401 vs. $25,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clemson University are 28.2% lower than at Wake Forest University ($13,284 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 334.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clemson (about $52,088 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $15,554.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.5% higher at Wake Forest than at Clemson University (about $26,776 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $40,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clemson University than at Wake Forest University (75% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 454.2% larger than aid received by Clemson University students ($63,117 vs. $11,389).

Wake Forest vs. Clemson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 140 points higher than at Clemson (1330).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at Clemson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; Clemson University 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; Clemson University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; Clemson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; Clemson May 1, 2027.
• Clemson has a higher acceptance rate (38.3%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 20.7% at Clemson.

Wake Forest vs. Clemson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest and Clemson? 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 Clemson University's (80%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $20,100 more per year than Clemson graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $57,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Clemson University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Clemson graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($222 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clemson students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 78%)

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.