Skip to content

College Comparison

Stanford University 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

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

School

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricStanfordWake Forest
Acceptance Rate3.9%wins21.6%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1510–1580wins1390–1510
ACT Range (25th–75th)34–35wins32–34
Tuition (Out-of-State)$62,484wins$64,758
Avg Net Price$12,136wins$28,746
Median Earnings (10 yr)$124,080wins$78,158
Graduation Rate92.8%wins90.9%
Retention Rate97.8%wins94.7%
Student–Faculty Ratio6:1wins9:1
Total Enrollment7,841wins5,471

Verdict

Based on the data above, Stanford edges out Wake Forest on 10 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.

Stanford Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 3.9%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1510–1580
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 34–35
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $62,484

Wake Forest Strengths

  • No clear advantages in available data

Want a deeper comparison?

Our interactive compare tool lets you add more schools, filter by major, and see financial aid breakdowns by income level.

Open Compare Tool

Related Comparisons