Wake Forest vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

Wake Forest vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest or Tennessee? 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 The University of Tennessee Knoxville than Wake Forest ($21,648 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 27.8% lower than at Wake Forest University ($13,356 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 389.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee (about $53,830 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $13,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103.4% higher at Wake Forest than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $34,386 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at Wake Forest University (94% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 452% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($63,117 vs. $11,434).

Wake Forest vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 180 points higher than at Tennessee (1290).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 28 at Tennessee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Tennessee - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• Tennessee has a higher acceptance rate (41.6%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

Wake Forest vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest and Tennessee? 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 The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $20,900 more per year than Tennessee graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $56,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($206 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 69%)

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.