WUSTL vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

Compare Washington University in St Louis in St. Louis, MO with Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington University in St Louis is larger than Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (16,357 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington University in St Louis is located in St. Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Washington University in St Louis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington University in St Louis 7:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

WUSTL vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WUSTL or Wake Forest? 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 Washington University in St Louis than Wake Forest ($22,408 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wake Forest University are 15.4% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($18,494 vs. $21,854).
• Wake Forest University is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WUSTL (about $1,852 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Wake Forest than at Washington University in St Louis (about $1,852 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington University in St Louis than at Wake Forest University (49% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 4.7% larger than aid received by Wake Forest University students ($66,080 vs. $63,117).

WUSTL vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington University in St Louis (1540) is 70 points higher than at Wake Forest (1470).
• Incoming WUSTL 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: Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington University in St Louis 33/35; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WUSTL - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WUSTL Jan 4, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• Wake Forest has a higher acceptance rate (21.7%) than WUSTL (12.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.7% at WUSTL vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

WUSTL vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Washington University in St Louis's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Wake Forest University's (88%).
• Graduates from Washington University in St Louis earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Wake Forest graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,800 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington University in St Louis graduates have a $3,100 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($19,900 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, WUSTL graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($205 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WUSTL students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.