Wake Forest vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

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

Wake Forest University is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 1,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

Wake Forest vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest or VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University than Wake Forest ($21,267 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 35.5% lower than at Wake Forest University ($11,930 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 80.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than VWC (about $30,142 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.4% higher at Wake Forest than at Virginia Wesleyan University (about $30,142 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at Wake Forest University (100% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 110.9% larger than aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students ($63,117 vs. $29,923).

Wake Forest vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 220 points higher than at VWC (1250).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 28 at VWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• VWC has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 11.9% at VWC.

Wake Forest vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest and VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $35,500 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than VWC graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 57%)

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.