George Washington vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

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

George Washington University is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (25,374 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• George Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: George Washington University 13:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

George Washington vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington 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 George Washington ($24,401 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Washington University are 8.5% lower than at Wake Forest University ($16,920 vs. $18,494).
• George Washington University is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wake Forest (about $68 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at George Washington than at Wake Forest University (about $68 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Washington University than at Wake Forest University (78% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 68.3% larger than aid received by George Washington University students ($63,117 vs. $37,500).

George Washington vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, George Washington 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 George Washington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 40 points higher than at George Washington (1430).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at George Washington).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 1350/1500; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• George Washington has a higher acceptance rate (47.1%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

George Washington vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington 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).

• Wake Forest University's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than George Washington University's (81%).
• Graduates from George Washington University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Wake Forest graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,500 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $1,962 lower median loan debt than George Washington graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,962).
• Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than George Washington graduates ($237 vs. $258).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former George Washington students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 82%)

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.