MIT vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA with Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (11,886 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

MIT vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MIT 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology than Wake Forest ($20,996 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wake Forest University are 8.8% lower than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($18,494 vs. $20,280).
• Wake Forest University is 8.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MIT (about $5,246 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.4% higher at Wake Forest than at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (about $5,246 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $62,396.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Massachusetts Institute of Technology than at Wake Forest University (59% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 2.2% larger than aid received by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students ($63,117 vs. $61,734).

MIT vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MIT 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 MIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1550) is 80 points higher than at Wake Forest (1470).
• Incoming MIT students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 33 at Wake Forest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1520/1580; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 34/36; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MIT - Required; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MIT Jan 1, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• Wake Forest has a higher acceptance rate (21.7%) than MIT (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 85.8% at MIT vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

MIT vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MIT 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).

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Wake Forest University's (88%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median of about $64,900 more per year than Wake Forest graduates about ten years after starting college ($142,100 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates have a $5,684 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($17,316 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, MIT graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($179 vs. $237).
• More MIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wake Forest students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.