Wake Forest vs. Sewanee

Comparable Facts

Compare Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC with The University of the South in Sewanee, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wake Forest University is larger than Sewanee based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 1,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); The University of the South is in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; The University of the South 9:1.

Wake Forest vs. Sewanee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest or Sewanee? 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 Sewanee ($24,401 vs. $34,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of the South are 13.3% lower than at Wake Forest University ($16,028 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 20.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sewanee (about $11,522 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $56,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.5% higher at Wake Forest than at The University of the South (about $11,522 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $56,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of the South than at Wake Forest University (98% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 69.8% larger than aid received by The University of the South students ($63,117 vs. $37,171).

Wake Forest vs. Sewanee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 140 points higher than at Sewanee (1330).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 29 at Sewanee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; The University of the South 1260/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; The University of the South 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; Sewanee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; Sewanee Feb 1, 2027.
• Sewanee has a higher acceptance rate (56.9%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 17.9% at Sewanee.

Wake Forest vs. Sewanee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest and Sewanee? 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 The University of the South's (86%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $27,400 more per year than Sewanee graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of the South graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($19,000 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Sewanee graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($196 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sewanee 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.