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College Comparison

Michigan State vs Wake Forest University: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

Michigan State

East Lansing, MI

School

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricMichigan StateWake Forest
Acceptance Rate83.9%21.6%wins
SAT Range (25th–75th)1150–13501390–1510wins
ACT Range (25th–75th)26–3132–34wins
Tuition (Out-of-State)$43,372wins$64,758
Avg Net Price$20,751wins$28,746
Median Earnings (10 yr)$67,253$78,158wins
Graduation Rate82.2%90.9%wins
Retention Rate91.4%94.7%wins
Student–Faculty Ratio17:19:1wins
Total Enrollment40,243wins5,471

Verdict

Based on the data above, Wake Forest edges out Michigan State on 7 of 10 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

Michigan State Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $43,372
  • Avg Net Price: $20,751
  • Total Enrollment: 40,243

Wake Forest Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 21.6%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1390–1510
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 32–34
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $78,158

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