Princeton vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

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

Wake Forest University is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Princeton vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton 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 Princeton University than Wake Forest ($15,313 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wake Forest University are 8.7% lower than at Princeton University ($18,494 vs. $20,250).
• Wake Forest University is 7.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $4,954 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.9% higher at Wake Forest than at Princeton University (about $4,954 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at Wake Forest University (67% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 8.9% larger than aid received by Wake Forest University students ($68,727 vs. $63,117).

Princeton vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton 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 Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 80 points higher than at Wake Forest (1470).
• Incoming Princeton 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: Princeton University 1510/1580; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• Wake Forest has a higher acceptance rate (21.7%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

Princeton vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Wake Forest University's (88%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $36,700 more per year than Wake Forest graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $15,500 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($7,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $160 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($77 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 83%)

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.