Wake Forest vs. Denison

Comparable Facts

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

Wake Forest University is larger than Denison based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 2,394 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Denison University is in Granville, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Denison University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; Denison University 9:1.

Wake Forest vs. Denison Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest or Denison? 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 Denison ($24,401 vs. $43,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Denison University are 11.3% lower than at Wake Forest University ($16,400 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Denison (about $642 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $67,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at Wake Forest than at Denison University (about $642 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $67,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Denison University than at Wake Forest University (94% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 65.3% larger than aid received by Denison University students ($63,117 vs. $38,179).

Wake Forest vs. Denison Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 60 points higher than at Denison (1410).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Denison).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; Denison University 1320/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; Denison University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; Denison - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; Denison Jan 15, 2027.
• Wake Forest has a higher acceptance rate (21.7%) than Denison (17.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 23.8% at Denison.

Wake Forest vs. Denison Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest and Denison? 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 Denison University's (79%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $21,100 more per year than Denison graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Denison graduates ($23,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Denison graduates ($237 vs. $268).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Denison students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 83%)

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.