Wake Forest vs. Washington and Lee

Comparable Facts

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

Wake Forest University is larger than Washington and Lee based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 2,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

Wake Forest vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest or Washington and Lee? 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 Washington and Lee University than Wake Forest ($23,055 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wake Forest University are 1% lower than at Washington and Lee University ($18,494 vs. $18,685).
• Washington and Lee University is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wake Forest (about $403 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Washington and Lee than at Wake Forest University (about $403 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington and Lee University than at Wake Forest University (64% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 1.3% larger than aid received by Wake Forest University students ($63,945 vs. $63,117).

Wake Forest vs. Washington and Lee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington and Lee University (1490) is 20 points higher than at Wake Forest (1470).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 33) as students at Washington and Lee (33).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; Washington and Lee University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; Washington and Lee University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; Washington and Lee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
• Wake Forest has a higher acceptance rate (21.7%) than Washington and Lee (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Wake Forest vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest and Washington and Lee? 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).

• Washington and Lee University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Wake Forest University's (88%).
• Graduates from Washington and Lee University earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than Wake Forest graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,000 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington and Lee University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Washington and Lee graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($222 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Washington and Lee students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.