Wake Forest vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (26,409 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 Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

Wake Forest vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest or UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus than Wake Forest ($18,427 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 20% lower than at Wake Forest University ($14,800 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 210.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVA (about $45,839 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $21,803.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.7% higher at Wake Forest than at University of Virginia Main Campus (about $8,130 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $59,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Virginia Main Campus than at Wake Forest University (39% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 119.8% larger than aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students ($63,117 vs. $28,715).

Wake Forest vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 10 points higher than at Wake Forest (1470).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 33) as students at UVA (33).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• Wake Forest has a higher acceptance rate (21.7%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 40% at UVA.

Wake Forest vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest and UVA? 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).

• University of Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Wake Forest University's (88%).
• Graduates of Wake Forest University and UVA have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $77,200), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($201 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UVA students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 86%)

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.