Emory vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

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

Emory University is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (15,175 students vs. 9,322 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Emory vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emory 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 Wake Forest University than Emory ($24,401 vs. $27,303).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wake Forest University are 8.5% lower than at Emory University ($18,494 vs. $20,220).
• Wake Forest University is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emory (about $3,362 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $64,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Wake Forest than at Emory University (about $3,362 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $64,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emory University than at Wake Forest University (47% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 12.1% larger than aid received by Emory University students ($63,117 vs. $56,319).

Emory vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emory or Wake Forest? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Wake Forest and Emory.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Emory University (1510) is 40 points higher than at Wake Forest (1470).
• Incoming Emory students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 33) as students at Wake Forest (33).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Emory University 1470/1550; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Emory University 32/35; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emory - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emory Jan 1, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• Wake Forest has a higher acceptance rate (21.7%) than Emory (10.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.4% at Emory vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

Emory vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emory and Wake Forest? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Emory University's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Wake Forest University's (88%).
• Graduates from Emory University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Wake Forest graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,500 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emory University graduates have a $5,767 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($17,233 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Emory graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($178 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emory students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 80%)

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.