Is BU or Wake Forest harder to get into?

BU is harder to get into than Wake Forest. BU's 11.1% acceptance rate is lower than Wake Forest's 21.7%.

Which is cheaper, BU or Wake Forest?

BU costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, BU's average net price is $24,402 vs $28,719 at Wake Forest.

Which has higher post-graduation earnings, BU or Wake Forest?

BU graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $83,238 at BU and $78,158 at Wake Forest.

BU vs. Wake Forest: Acceptance Rate, SAT, Cost & Outcomes Compared

Metric	BU	Wake Forest
Acceptance rate	11.1%	21.7%
SAT mid-50%	1420–1530	1410–1520
ACT mid-50%	32–34	32–34
Cost of attendance	$86,285	$87,499
Avg net price (after aid)	$24,402	$28,719
Undergrad enrollment	18,248	5,485
6-yr graduation rate	88.7%	89.1%
Median earnings (10yr)	$83,238	$78,158
Setting	Boston, Massachusetts	Winston-Salem, North Carolina

The Real Differences

BU is meaningfully harder to get into. A 10.6-percentage-point gap between 11.1% (BU) and 21.7% (Wake Forest) reflects real selectivity differences. Wake Forest is the more realistic target for a balanced college list.

BU is substantially larger with 18,248 undergrads vs 5,485 at Wake Forest. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.

Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. BU is in Boston, Massachusetts; 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.

BU has a more international student body (21.2% 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.

Student Body Composition

The two schools have different student body compositions. BU is 58.1% women, 21.2% international, and 20.5% Asian-American. Wake Forest is 55.1% women, 5.8% international, and 5.3% Asian-American.

Demographic	BU	Wake Forest
Women	58.1%	55.1%
International	21.2%	5.8%
White	32.2%	65.1%
Asian	20.5%	5.3%
Hispanic	11.5%	9.7%
Black	5.9%	6.4%

Personalized estimate

What are your odds at BU vs. Wake Forest?

Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.

Run the calculator

The Verdict

Pick BU if

Net price matters: BU costs $4,317 less per year on average
Higher median post-grad earnings ($83,238 vs $78,158)
the Kilachand Honors College

Pick Wake Forest if

Your odds are realistic at Wake Forest (slightly easier admit)
Higher 6-year graduation rate
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

Boston University

11.1% accept · Boston, Massachusetts

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.

Keep going

Calculate your odds All colleges Most selective Best financial aid Highest earnings

Boston University vs. Wake Forest University