Wake Forest vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

Compare Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Vanderbilt University is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

Wake Forest vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest or Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt ($24,401 vs. $25,186).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wake Forest University are 16.1% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($18,494 vs. $22,054).
• Wake Forest University is 0.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Vanderbilt (about $144 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $67,498.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Wake Forest than at Vanderbilt University (about $144 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $67,498.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanderbilt University than at Wake Forest University (67% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 2% larger than aid received by Wake Forest University students ($64,404 vs. $63,117).

Wake Forest vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanderbilt University (1540) is 70 points higher than at Wake Forest (1470).
• Incoming Vanderbilt students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Wake Forest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Wake Forest has a higher acceptance rate (21.7%) than Vanderbilt (5.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Wake Forest vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Vanderbilt University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Wake Forest University's (88%).
• Graduates from Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Wake Forest graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($14,000 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($144 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanderbilt students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 83%)

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.