Wake Forest vs. SMU

Wake Forest University and Southern Methodist University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Wake Forest University
Southern Methodist University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Wake Forest (21.7% admitted vs 63.3%). Typical SAT 1470 vs 1420.
  • Cheaper after aid: Wake Forest. Average net price is $24,401 vs $48,179 at SMU.
  • Graduation: Wake Forest 88% vs SMU 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Wake Forest $77,200 vs SMU $73,000 (median).
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Key differences

Wake Forest University Southern Methodist University
Acceptance rate
Wake Forest more selective
Wake Forest21.7%
SMU63.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Wake Forest higher
Wake Forest1410-1520
SMU1340-1490
Average net price
Wake Forest $23,778 less
Wake Forest$24,401
SMU$48,179
In-state tuition
SMU $602 less
Wake Forest$67,642
SMU$67,040
Out-of-state tuition
SMU $602 less
Wake Forest$67,642
SMU$67,040
Graduation rate
Wake Forest +13 pts
Wake Forest88%
SMU75%
Median earnings (10 years)
Wake Forest +$4,200
Wake Forest$77,200
SMU$73,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Wake Forest 18,727
  • SMU 15,245
  • Admitted
  • Wake Forest 4,058
  • SMU 9,657
  • Acceptance rate
  • Wake Forest 21.7%
  • SMU 63.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Wake Forest 36.1%
  • SMU 17.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Wake Forest 1470
  • SMU 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • Wake Forest 33
  • SMU 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Wake Forest -
  • SMU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Wake Forest -
  • SMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Wake Forest Exceptional
  • SMU Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Wake Forest Very High
  • SMU Low
  • SAT range
  • Wake Forest 1410-1520
  • SMU 1340-1490
  • ACT range
  • Wake Forest 32-34
  • SMU 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Wake Forest Test optional
  • SMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027
  • SMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Wake Forest $67,642
  • SMU $67,040
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Wake Forest $67,642
  • SMU $67,040
  • Room & board
  • Wake Forest $18,494
  • SMU $19,064
  • Average net price
  • Wake Forest $24,401
  • SMU $48,179
  • Average grant aid
  • Wake Forest $63,117
  • SMU $37,520
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Wake Forest 35%
  • SMU 67%
  • Graduation rate
  • Wake Forest 88%
  • SMU 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Wake Forest $77,200
  • SMU $73,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Wake Forest 88%
  • SMU 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Wake Forest $23,000
  • SMU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Wake Forest $237
  • SMU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Wake Forest 10:1
  • SMU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Wake Forest
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • SMU
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Wake Forest Winston-Salem, NC
  • SMU Dallas, TX
  • Setting
  • Wake Forest Midsize City
  • SMU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Wake Forest 9,322
  • SMU 12,116
  • Type
  • Wake Forest Private 4 Year
  • SMU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Wake Forest #49
  • SMU #72

Comparable Facts

Compare Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Southern Methodist University is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 9,322 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
  • Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wake Forest University are 3% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($18,494 vs. $19,064).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at Wake Forest than at Southern Methodist University (about $602 more per year; $67,642 vs. $67,040).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at Wake Forest University (67% vs. 35%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 68.2% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($63,117 vs. $37,520).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Wake Forest than at SMU (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Wake Forest and SMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Methodist University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,000).
  • Among borrowers, SMU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($222 vs. $237).
  • More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation (88% vs. 76%).

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

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