Duke University vs Wake Forest University
Duke University is a private university in Durham, NC, and Wake Forest University is a private university in Winston-Salem, NC. Duke University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 6% of applicants against 22% at Wake Forest University. Wake Forest University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $28,719 a year against $29,612 at Duke University. About 96% of students graduate at Duke University, compared with 90% at Wake Forest University. Ten years after enrolling, Duke University alumni earn a median of about $97,800, against $78,158 for Wake Forest University.
See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.
Start the free quiz
* Reported aid for this income range averaged above the billed cost.
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Duke University or Wake Forest University harder to get into?
- Duke University is harder to get into. It admits about 6% of applicants, compared with 22% at Wake Forest University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Duke University or Wake Forest University?
- Wake Forest University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $28,719 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $29,612 at Duke University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Duke University and Wake Forest University?
- Before aid, Duke University costs about $87,072 a year and Wake Forest University about $87,499. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Duke University or Wake Forest University?
- Duke University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $735 there, against about $6,525 at Wake Forest University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Duke University or Wake Forest University?
- Duke University is the larger of the two, with about 6,442 undergraduates against 5,485 at Wake Forest University.
- Does Duke University or Wake Forest University have a better graduation rate?
- Duke University has the higher graduation rate, at about 96% against 90% at Wake Forest University.
- Do graduates of Duke University or Wake Forest University earn more?
- Duke University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $97,800 ten years after enrolling, against about $78,158 for Wake Forest University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Duke University and Wake Forest University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Duke University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Wake Forest University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Duke University and Wake Forest University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1500–1570 at Duke University and 1410–1520 at Wake Forest University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Which of these is the better fit for you?
These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.