Wake Forest vs. Brown

Comparable Facts

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

Brown University is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (11,956 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Brown University is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brown University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; Brown University 6:1.

Wake Forest vs. Brown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest or Brown? 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 Brown ($24,401 vs. $26,256).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brown University are 5.7% lower than at Wake Forest University ($17,444 vs. $18,494).
• Brown University is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wake Forest (about $3,770 more per year; $71,412.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at Brown than at Wake Forest University (about $3,770 more per year; $71,412.00 vs. $67,642.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Brown University than at Wake Forest University (52% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 2.8% larger than aid received by Brown University students ($63,117 vs. $61,392).

Wake Forest vs. Brown Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wake Forest or Brown? 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 Brown and Wake Forest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Brown University (1550) is 80 points higher than at Wake Forest (1470).
• Incoming Brown 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: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; Brown University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; Brown University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Brown - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; Brown Jan 5, 2027.
• Wake Forest has a higher acceptance rate (21.7%) than Brown (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 65.2% at Brown.

Wake Forest vs. Brown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest and Brown? 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).

• Brown University's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Wake Forest University's (88%).
• Graduates from Brown University earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than Wake Forest graduates about ten years after starting college ($87,600 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Brown University graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($15,000 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Brown graduates have an estimated $82 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($155 vs. $237).
• More Brown graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wake Forest students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.