Wake Forest vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

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

Wake Forest University is larger than University of South Carolina-Upstate based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 4,916 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); University of South Carolina Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

Wake Forest vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 South Carolina Upstate than Wake Forest ($13,999 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 43% lower than at Wake Forest University ($10,533 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 483.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Carolina-Upstate (about $56,054 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $11,588.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 192.9% higher at Wake Forest than at University of South Carolina Upstate (about $44,552 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $23,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate than at Wake Forest University (97% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 488.8% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students ($63,117 vs. $10,719).

Wake Forest vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wake Forest or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina-Upstate and Wake Forest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 380 points higher than at University of South Carolina-Upstate (1090).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 23 at University of South Carolina-Upstate).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• University of South Carolina-Upstate has a higher acceptance rate (67.3%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

Wake Forest vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest and University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 Upstate's (39%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $37,900 more per year than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Upstate graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($22,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($232 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Carolina-Upstate students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 55%)

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.