Duke vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

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

Duke University is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Duke vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke 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 Duke University than Wake Forest ($21,981 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Duke University are 2% lower than at Wake Forest University ($18,128 vs. $18,494).
• Duke University is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wake Forest (about $1,116 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Duke than at Wake Forest University (about $1,116 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Duke University than at Wake Forest University (43% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 3.8% larger than aid received by Wake Forest University students ($65,522 vs. $63,117).

Duke vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Duke 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 Duke.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 70 points higher than at Wake Forest (1470).
• Incoming Duke 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: Duke University 1500/1570; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• Wake Forest has a higher acceptance rate (21.7%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

Duke vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke 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).

• Duke University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Wake Forest University's (88%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $31,700 more per year than Wake Forest graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $15,500 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($7,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $160 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($77 vs. $237).
• More Duke 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.