Wake Forest vs. PHC

Comparable Facts

Compare Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC with Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Virginia on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wake Forest University is larger than PHC based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 425 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Patrick Henry College is in Purcellville, Virginia (Town Fringe setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Patrick Henry College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; Patrick Henry College 14:1.

Wake Forest vs. PHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest or PHC? 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 PHC ($24,401 vs. $25,869).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Patrick Henry College are 40.4% lower than at Wake Forest University ($11,020 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 138% more expensive for in-state tuition than PHC (about $39,217 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $28,425.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 138% higher at Wake Forest than at Patrick Henry College (about $39,217 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $28,425.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Patrick Henry College than at Wake Forest University (100% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 373% larger than aid received by Patrick Henry College students ($63,117 vs. $13,345).

Wake Forest vs. PHC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 140 points higher than at PHC (1330).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at PHC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; Patrick Henry College 1240/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; Patrick Henry College 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; PHC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; PHC Jul 15, 2027.
• PHC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 47.6% at PHC.

Wake Forest vs. PHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest and PHC? 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).

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.