Wake Forest University vs Case Western Reserve University

Side-by-side comparison across admissions, costs, outcomes, campus life, and more. Data from US Department of Education.

πŸ’°
Best Value
Wake Forest University
Lower Net Price
πŸ’Ό
High Earners
Case Western Reserve University
Higher 10yr Salary
πŸ†
Most Selective
Wake Forest University
Harder to get in
πŸŽ“
Graduation
Wake Forest University
Higher success
Admissions Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
21.6%
28.7%
Avg SAT Score
1,469
1,501
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1390 – 1510
1430 – 1540
Avg ACT Score
Not reported
34
ACT Range (25th–75th)
32 – 34
32 – 35
Cost & Financial Aid
Avg Net Price
$28,746
$38,909
Tuition (In-State)
$64,758
$64,671
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$64,758
$64,671
Pell Grant Rate % students receiving Pell Grants
9.5%
17.1%
Federal Loan Rate
14.6%
48.8%
Career Outcomes
Median Salary (10yr)
$78,158
$87,989
Graduation Rate
90.3%
86.4%
Retention Rate Freshmen who return for 2nd year
94.7%
92.0%
Campus Life
Total Enrollment
5,471
6,108
Undergrad Enrollment
5,622
6,192
Type
Private
Private
Setting
Urban
Urban

πŸ“‹ Report Cards

Wake Forest University

Academics
A+
Value
C
Admissions
A-
Diversity
B-

Case Western Reserve University

Academics
A+
Value
C
Admissions
A-
Diversity
A+

βš–οΈ Expert Analysis

Wake Forest University and Case Western Reserve University are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Wake Forest University is more selective with a 21.6% acceptance rate compared to Case Western Reserve University's 28.7%. Average SAT scores are 1469 and 1501 respectively.

Cost: Wake Forest University offers a lower average net price at $28,746, which is $10,163 less than Case Western Reserve University ($38,909). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Case Western Reserve University earn a median salary of $87,989 ten years after enrollment, which is $9,831 more than Wake Forest University graduates ($78,158).

Graduation: Wake Forest University leads with a 90.3% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 94.7% vs 92.0%.

Campus Size: Case Western Reserve University is the larger campus with 6,108 total students, while Wake Forest University has 5,471.

Bottom Line: Wake Forest University wins on affordability while Case Western Reserve University leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.

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