Head-to-head comparison
American University vs. Wake Forest University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs American or Wake Forest harder to get into?
American is harder to get into than Wake Forest. American's 12.9% acceptance rate is lower than Wake Forest's 21.7%.
Which is cheaper, American or Wake Forest?
Wake Forest costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Wake Forest's average net price is $28,719 vs $40,815 at American.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
American graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $103,494 at American and $78,158 at Wake Forest.
Full Comparison
| Metric | American | Wake Forest |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 12.9% | 21.7% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1390–1550 | 1410–1520 |
| ACT mid-50% | 31–35 | 32–34 |
| Cost of attendance | $88,741 | $87,499 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $40,815 | $28,719 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 7,569 | 5,485 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 94.8% | 89.1% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $103,494 | $78,158 |
| Setting | Washington, D.C. | Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
American is meaningfully harder to get into. A 8.8-percentage-point gap between 12.9% (American) and 21.7% (Wake Forest) reflects real selectivity differences. Wake Forest is the more realistic target for a balanced college list.
American draws stronger test scores. Mid-50% SAT range tops out at 1550 vs 1520 at the other school. Differences in test profile usually reflect a school's STEM-vs-humanities mix and the self-selection of applicants, not raw academic quality.
Wake Forest is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $12,096 per year, $48,384 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
American graduates earn $25,336 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. Wake Forest grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. American is in Washington, D.C.; Wake Forest is in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
American has a more international student body (13.3% non-resident students vs 5.8%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.
American's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (94.8% vs 89.1% 6-year completion). Graduation gaps at this level usually reflect support-system differences, financial aid adequacy, or degree-flexibility — worth verifying with each school's first-year retention and major-change policies.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. American is 59.0% women, 13.3% international, and 15.4% Asian-American. Wake Forest is 55.1% women, 5.8% international, and 5.3% Asian-American.
| Demographic | American | Wake Forest |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 59.0% | 55.1% |
| International | 13.3% | 5.8% |
| White | 46.1% | 65.1% |
| Asian | 15.4% | 5.3% |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 9.7% |
| Black | 4.9% | 6.4% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at American vs. Wake Forest?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick American if
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($103,494 vs $78,158)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- its School of International Service and close ties to D.C. policy and journalism
Pick Wake Forest if
- Your odds are realistic at Wake Forest (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Wake Forest costs $12,096 less per year on average
- small class sizes
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
American University
12.9% accept · Washington, D.C.
Full profile
Wake Forest University
21.7% accept · Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.