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College Comparison

Wake Forest University vs University of Kentucky: Which is Better?

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

School

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC

School

University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricWake ForestUniversity of Kentucky
Acceptance Rate21.6%wins92.4%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1390–1510wins1080–1290
ACT Range (25th–75th)32–34wins21–28
Tuition (Out-of-State)$64,758$33,406wins
Avg Net Price$28,746$17,218wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$78,158wins$59,025
Graduation Rate90.9%wins69.9%
Retention Rate94.7%wins86.7%
Student–Faculty Ratio9:1wins17:1
Total Enrollment5,47123,189wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, Wake Forest edges out University of Kentucky 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.

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

University of Kentucky Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $33,406
  • Avg Net Price: $17,218
  • Total Enrollment: 23,189

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