Wake Forest vs. Mary Washington College

Comparable Facts

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

Wake Forest University is larger than Mary Washington College based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 3,826 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); University of Mary Washington is in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; University of Mary Washington 13:1.

Wake Forest vs. Mary Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest or Mary Washington College? 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 University of Mary Washington than Wake Forest ($21,800 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary Washington are 22.9% lower than at Wake Forest University ($14,250 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 362% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $53,002 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 145.4% higher at Wake Forest than at University of Mary Washington (about $40,082 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington than at Wake Forest University (99% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 501.6% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($63,117 vs. $10,491).

Wake Forest vs. Mary Washington College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wake Forest or Mary Washington College? 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 Mary Washington College and Wake Forest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 200 points higher than at Mary Washington College (1270).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 29 at Mary Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; University of Mary Washington 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; University of Mary Washington 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; Mary Washington College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 17.7% at Mary Washington College.

Wake Forest vs. Mary Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest and Mary Washington College? 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 University of Mary Washington's (71%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $21,700 more per year than Mary Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $55,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mary Washington graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Mary Washington College 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 Mary Washington College students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 80%)

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.