Wake Forest vs. NSU

Wake Forest University and Norfolk State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Wake Forest University
Norfolk State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Wake Forest (21.7% admitted vs 87.8%). Typical SAT 1470 vs 930.
  • Cheaper after aid: NSU. Average net price is $9,124 vs $24,401 at Wake Forest.
  • Graduation: Wake Forest 88% vs NSU 33%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Wake Forest $77,200 vs NSU $36,700 (median).
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Key differences

Wake Forest University Norfolk State University
Acceptance rate
Wake Forest more selective
Wake Forest21.7%
NSU87.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Wake Forest higher
Wake Forest1410-1520
NSU823-1030
Average net price
NSU $15,277 less
Wake Forest$24,401
NSU$9,124
In-state tuition
NSU $57,462 less
Wake Forest$67,642
NSU$10,180
Out-of-state tuition
NSU $45,960 less
Wake Forest$67,642
NSU$21,682
Graduation rate
Wake Forest +55 pts
Wake Forest88%
NSU33%
Median earnings (10 years)
Wake Forest +$40,500
Wake Forest$77,200
NSU$36,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Wake Forest 18,727
  • NSU 11,247
  • Admitted
  • Wake Forest 4,058
  • NSU 9,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • Wake Forest 21.7%
  • NSU 87.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Wake Forest 36.1%
  • NSU 13.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Wake Forest 1470
  • NSU 930
  • Typical ACT score
  • Wake Forest 33
  • NSU 19
  • Average high school GPA
  • Wake Forest -
  • NSU 2.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Wake Forest -
  • NSU B
  • Admissions standards
  • Wake Forest Exceptional
  • NSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Wake Forest Very High
  • NSU
  • SAT range
  • Wake Forest 1410-1520
  • NSU 823-1030
  • ACT range
  • Wake Forest 32-34
  • NSU 16-22
  • Submit test scores
  • Wake Forest Test optional
  • NSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027
  • NSU May 31, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Wake Forest $67,642
  • NSU $10,180
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Wake Forest $67,642
  • NSU $21,682
  • Room & board
  • Wake Forest $18,494
  • NSU $11,591
  • Average net price
  • Wake Forest $24,401
  • NSU $9,124
  • Average grant aid
  • Wake Forest $63,117
  • NSU $15,056
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Wake Forest 35%
  • NSU 75%
  • Graduation rate
  • Wake Forest 88%
  • NSU 33%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Wake Forest $77,200
  • NSU $36,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Wake Forest 88%
  • NSU 27%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Wake Forest $23,000
  • NSU $31,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Wake Forest $237
  • NSU $320
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Wake Forest 10:1
  • NSU 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Wake Forest
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • NSU
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Location
  • Wake Forest Winston-Salem, NC
  • NSU Norfolk, VA
  • Setting
  • Wake Forest Midsize City
  • NSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Wake Forest 9,322
  • NSU 6,053
  • Type
  • Wake Forest Private 4 Year
  • NSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Wake Forest #49
  • NSU #988

Comparable Facts

Compare Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC with Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Wake Forest University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 6,053 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 37.3% lower than at Wake Forest University ($11,591 vs. $18,494).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 212% higher at Wake Forest than at Norfolk State University (about $45,960 more per year; $67,642 vs. $21,682).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Norfolk State University than at Wake Forest University (75% vs. 35%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 319.2% larger than aid received by Norfolk State University students ($63,117 vs. $15,056).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 14 points higher at Wake Forest than at NSU (33 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Wake Forest and NSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; NSU May 31, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 13.2% at NSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($23,000 vs. $31,000).
  • Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($237 vs. $320).
  • More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation (88% vs. 27%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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