Wake Forest vs. F&M

Comparable Facts

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

Wake Forest University is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 1,808 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Franklin and Marshall College is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin and Marshall College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; Franklin and Marshall College 9:1.

Wake Forest vs. F&M Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest or F&M? 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 F&M ($24,401 vs. $43,987).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franklin and Marshall College are 12.5% lower than at Wake Forest University ($16,188 vs. $18,494).
• Franklin and Marshall College is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wake Forest (about $3,152 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at F&M than at Wake Forest University (about $3,152 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin and Marshall College than at Wake Forest University (80% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 50.6% larger than aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students ($63,117 vs. $41,901).

Wake Forest vs. F&M Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wake Forest or F&M? 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 F&M and Wake Forest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 80 points higher than at F&M (1390).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at F&M).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; Franklin and Marshall College 1310/1463.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; Franklin and Marshall College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; F&M - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; F&M Jan 15, 2027.
• F&M has a higher acceptance rate (28.2%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 17.1% at F&M.

Wake Forest vs. F&M Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest and F&M? 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 Franklin and Marshall College's (85%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than F&M graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $61,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin and Marshall College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($22,000 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, F&M graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($227 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former F&M students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.