Wake Forest vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

Wake Forest vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest or UofSC? 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 UofSC ($24,401 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 26.8% lower than at Wake Forest University ($13,534 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 433.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $54,954 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88% higher at Wake Forest than at University of South Carolina Columbia (about $31,670 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $35,972.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than at Wake Forest University (91% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 784.1% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($63,117 vs. $7,139).

Wake Forest vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 200 points higher than at UofSC (1270).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 29 at UofSC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• UofSC has a higher acceptance rate (60.2%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

Wake Forest vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest and UofSC? 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 South Carolina Columbia's (70%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $25,500 more per year than UofSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $51,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($23,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($237 vs. $240).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UofSC students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 69%)

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.