Yale vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

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

Yale University is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (15,564 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Yale University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Yale University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Yale University 5:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

Yale vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Yale 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 Yale University than Wake Forest ($22,408 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wake Forest University are 7.1% lower than at Yale University ($18,494 vs. $19,900).
• Wake Forest University is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Yale (about $392 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $67,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Wake Forest than at Yale University (about $392 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $67,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Yale University than at Wake Forest University (56% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Yale University students is 4.4% larger than aid received by Wake Forest University students ($65,892 vs. $63,117).

Yale vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Yale 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 Yale.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Yale University (1520) is 50 points higher than at Wake Forest (1470).
• Incoming Yale 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: Yale University 1470/1570; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 33/35; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Yale - Required; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Yale Jan 2, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• Wake Forest has a higher acceptance rate (21.7%) than Yale (3.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.8% at Yale vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

Yale vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Yale 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).

• Yale University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than Wake Forest University's (88%).
• Graduates from Yale University earn a median of about $41,200 more per year than Wake Forest graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,400 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Yale University graduates have a $9,500 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($13,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Yale graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($139 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Yale students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 84%)

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.