Wesleyan University vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

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

Wake Forest University is larger than Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 4,011 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Wesleyan University vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wesleyan University or Wake Forest? 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 Wesleyan University than Wake Forest ($23,025 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wake Forest University are 6.9% lower than at Wesleyan University ($18,494 vs. $19,872).
• Wesleyan University is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wake Forest (about $2,700 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at Wesleyan University than at Wake Forest University (about $2,700 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wesleyan University than at Wake Forest University (42% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wesleyan University students is 4.6% larger than aid received by Wake Forest University students ($65,995 vs. $63,117).

Wesleyan University vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wesleyan University (1480) is 10 points higher than at Wake Forest (1470).
• Incoming Wesleyan University 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: Wesleyan University 1415/1540; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 33/35; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wesleyan University - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• Wake Forest has a higher acceptance rate (21.7%) than Wesleyan University (16.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Wesleyan University vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

Wesleyan University vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wesleyan University and Wake Forest? 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).

• Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Wake Forest University's (88%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $19,200 more per year than Wesleyan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($17,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($180 vs. $237).
• More Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wake Forest students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.