Wake Forest vs. Villanova

Comparable Facts

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

Villanova University is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (10,041 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Wake Forest vs. Villanova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest or Villanova? 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 Villanova ($24,401 vs. $37,201).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Villanova University are 4.3% lower than at Wake Forest University ($17,694 vs. $18,494).
• Villanova University is 0.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wake Forest (about $134 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Villanova than at Wake Forest University (about $134 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Villanova University than at Wake Forest University (48% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 32.6% larger than aid received by Villanova University students ($63,117 vs. $47,609).

Wake Forest vs. Villanova Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 20 points higher than at Villanova (1450).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 33) as students at Villanova (33).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; Villanova University 1395/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; Villanova University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; Villanova - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; Villanova Jan 15, 2027.
• Villanova has a higher acceptance rate (27%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 27.7% at Villanova.

Wake Forest vs. Villanova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Villanova University's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Wake Forest University's (88%).
• Graduates from Villanova University earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than Wake Forest graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,100 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $3,497 lower median loan debt than Villanova graduates ($23,000 vs. $26,497).
• Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Villanova graduates ($237 vs. $273).
• More Villanova graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wake Forest students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 88%)

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.