UNC vs Wake Forest University: cost, admissions and outcomes compared

    Verified federal figures for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.

    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill logoUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, NCWake Forest University logoWake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem, NC

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    UNC vs Wake Forest University at a glance

    UNC admits 15.3% of applicants and Wake Forest University 21.7% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $11,305 at UNC and $28,165 at Wake Forest University. Six-year graduation rates are 91.1% and 90.3%, respectively.

    Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025

    What the data shows

    Key differences

    • UNC admits 15.3% of applicants and Wake Forest University 21.7%, so UNC is the more selective.
    • The average net price after grants is $11,305 a year at UNC and $28,165 at Wake Forest University; UNC costs $16,860 less a year.
    • For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $2,212 at UNC and $6,242 at Wake Forest University.
    • 91.1% of students graduate within six years at UNC, against 90.3% at Wake Forest University.
    • Median earnings ten years after entry are $81,094 for UNC and $104,443 for Wake Forest University; Wake Forest University is $23,349 higher.
    • Graduates leave with median federal debt of $12,086 at UNC and $19,500 at Wake Forest University.
    • UNC enrolls 20,752 students (small city) and Wake Forest University 5,485 (midsize city).
    • UNC is a public college and Wake Forest University is a private nonprofit college.

    Side by side

    UNC and Wake Forest University in numbers

    The stronger figure in each cost and outcome row is in bold. Net price is what students who receive aid pay after grants; your own price depends on family income.

    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill compared with Wake Forest University
    MeasureUNCWake Forest University
    Admissions
    Acceptance rate15.3%21.7%
    Applicants50,72915,156
    SAT middle 50% (composite)1390–15301410–1520
    ACT middle 50%28–3432–34
    Cost
    Average net price (after grants)$11,305$28,165
    Tuition, in state$9,095$70,332
    Tuition, out of state$45,228$70,332
    Cost of attendance$26,949$91,202
    Net price by family income
    Family income up to $30,000$2,212$6,242
    $30,001–$48,000$2,989$6,576
    $48,001–$75,000$6,761$14,876
    $75,001–$110,000$12,883$13,571
    Over $110,000$24,276$65,247
    Outcomes
    Graduation rate (six years)91.1%90.3%
    First-year retention96.6%92.6%
    Median earnings, 10 years after entry$81,094$104,443
    Median federal debt at graduation$12,086$19,500
    Typical monthly loan payment$137$222
    Size and setting
    Total students20,7525,485
    TypePublicPrivate nonprofit
    SettingCity: SmallCity: Midsize
    LocationChapel Hill, NCWinston-Salem, NC

    Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.

    Bachelor's programs both offer

    UNC reports 51 bachelor's programs and Wake Forest University 39; 26 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:

    Questions about UNC vs Wake Forest University

    Every answer uses the figures in the table above.

    Is it harder to get into UNC or Wake Forest University?

    UNC is harder to get into by acceptance rate: UNC admits 15.3% of applicants and Wake Forest University admits 21.7%. Middle 50% SAT scores: UNC 1390–1530; Wake Forest University 1410–1520.

    Which is cheaper, UNC or Wake Forest University?

    UNC has the lower average net price after grants: $11,305 a year at UNC against $28,165 at Wake Forest University. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $2,212 and $6,242. Your own price depends on family income and aid.

    Do UNC or Wake Forest University graduates earn more?

    Wake Forest University graduates earn more at the median: $81,094 ten years after entry for UNC and $104,443 for Wake Forest University. Median federal debt at graduation is $12,086 and $19,500.

    Which has a higher graduation rate, UNC or Wake Forest University?

    UNC does: 91.1% of UNC students graduate within six years, against 90.3% at Wake Forest University.

    How big are UNC and Wake Forest University?

    UNC has 20,752 students in Chapel Hill, NC and Wake Forest University has 5,485 students in Winston-Salem, NC.