Academic Comparison between NCSU and Wake Forest

North Carolina State University at Raleigh and Wake Forest University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. NCSU is a four-year, public school located in Raleigh, NC and Wake Forest is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Winston-Salem, NC.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • NCSU is a public and Wake Forest is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Wake Forest has more expensive tuition & fees ($67,642) than NCSU ($32,847).
  • It is harder to admit to Wake Forest than NCSU.
  • Wake Forest has a higher submitted SAT score (1,370) than NCSU (1,370).
  • Wake Forest has higher submitted ACT score (30) than NCSU (30).
  • NCSU has more students with 38,464 students while Wake Forest has 9,322 students.
  • Wake Forest has a lower number of students per faculty with 10 to 1 while NCSU's ratio is 15 to 1.
  • Wake Forest has more full-time faculties with 2,745 faculties while NCSU has 1,911 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

North Carolina State University at Raleighvs.Wake Forest University
Raleigh, North CarolinaLocationWinston-Salem, North Carolina
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (high research activity)
In-State$8,799
Out-Of-State$32,847
2025 Tuition & Fees$67,642
51%% Receiving Financial Aid41%
$11,592Average Amount of Financial Aid$50,961
41.74 %Acceptance Rates21.67 %
31.76 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)36.08 %
1,370SAT Score1,470
30ACT Score33
85 %Graduation Rate89 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
94 %Retention Rate93 %
38,464Student Population9,322
1,911Number of Faculties2,745
15 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio10 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services
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