Wake Forest vs. UC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); University of Cincinnati Main Campus is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1.

Wake Forest vs. UC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest or UC? 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 UC ($24,401 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 26.7% lower than at Wake Forest University ($13,564 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 384% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $53,666 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 130.8% higher at Wake Forest than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $38,332 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Cincinnati Main Campus than at Wake Forest University (73% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 670.1% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($63,117 vs. $8,196).

Wake Forest vs. UC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 200 points higher than at UC (1270).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; UC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; UC Mar 1, 2027.
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 22.5% at UC.

Wake Forest vs. UC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest and UC? 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 Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $31,600 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Cincinnati Main Campus and Wake Forest graduates have the same median loan debt ($23,000 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, University of Cincinnati Main Campus and Wake Forest graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($237 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 57%)

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.