U of R vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

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

University of Rochester is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (11,946 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Rochester is located in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Rochester 9:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

U of R vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of R 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 U of R ($24,401 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wake Forest University are 6.6% lower than at University of Rochester ($18,494 vs. $19,792).
• Wake Forest University is 0.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than U of R (about $562 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $67,080.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at Wake Forest than at University of Rochester (about $562 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $67,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rochester than at Wake Forest University (72% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 38.7% larger than aid received by University of Rochester students ($63,117 vs. $45,500).

U of R vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of R 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 U of R.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Rochester (1480) is 10 points higher than at Wake Forest (1470).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at U of R).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 1410/1540; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 31/34; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of R - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Wake Forest - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: U of R Jan 5, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• U of R has a higher acceptance rate (40.1%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at U of R vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

U of R vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of R 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 University of Rochester's (83%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than U of R graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $71,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($237 vs. $253).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 79%)

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.