Wake Forest vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

Wake Forest University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 6,053 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

Wake Forest vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest or NSU? 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 Norfolk State University than Wake Forest ($9,124 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 37.3% lower than at Wake Forest University ($11,591 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 564.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $57,462 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $10,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 212% higher at Wake Forest than at Norfolk State University (about $45,960 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $21,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Norfolk State University than at Wake Forest University (75% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 319.2% larger than aid received by Norfolk State University students ($63,117 vs. $15,056).

Wake Forest vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 540 points higher than at NSU (930).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 14 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 19 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; Norfolk State University 823/1030.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; Norfolk State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; NSU May 31, 2027.
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 13.2% at NSU.

Wake Forest vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest and NSU? 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 Norfolk State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $40,500 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($23,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($237 vs. $320).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 27%)

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.