Wake Forest vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Methodist University is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Wake Forest vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest or SMU? 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 SMU ($24,401 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wake Forest University are 3% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($18,494 vs. $19,064).
• Wake Forest University is 0.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SMU (about $602 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $67,040.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at Wake Forest than at Southern Methodist University (about $602 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $67,040.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at Wake Forest University (67% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 68.2% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($63,117 vs. $37,520).

Wake Forest vs. SMU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 50 points higher than at SMU (1420).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at SMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• SMU has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Wake Forest vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest and SMU? 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 Southern Methodist University's (75%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than SMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $73,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($222 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 76%)

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.