Head-to-head comparison
University of Miami vs. Wake Forest University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Miami or Wake Forest harder to get into?
Miami is harder to get into than Wake Forest. Miami's 18.9% acceptance rate is lower than Wake Forest's 21.7%.
Which is cheaper, Miami or Wake Forest?
Wake Forest costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Wake Forest's average net price is $28,719 vs $37,244 at Miami.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Wake Forest graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $75,328 at Miami and $78,158 at Wake Forest.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Miami | Wake Forest |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 18.9% | 21.7% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1320–1480 | 1410–1520 |
| ACT mid-50% | 30–33 | 32–34 |
| Cost of attendance | $86,078 | $87,499 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $37,244 | $28,719 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 12,913 | 5,485 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 83.7% | 89.1% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $75,328 | $78,158 |
| Setting | Coral Gables, Florida | 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
Miami is modestly harder to get into. The 2.8-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Wake Forest draws stronger test scores. Mid-50% SAT range tops out at 1520 vs 1480 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 $8,525 per year, $34,100 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Miami is substantially larger with 12,913 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. Miami is in Coral Gables, Florida; 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.
Wake Forest's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (89.1% vs 83.7% 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. Miami is 54.5% women, 7.6% international, and 5.0% Asian-American. Wake Forest is 55.1% women, 5.8% international, and 5.3% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Miami | Wake Forest |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 54.5% | 55.1% |
| International | 7.6% | 5.8% |
| White | 48.5% | 65.1% |
| Asian | 5.0% | 5.3% |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 9.7% |
| Black | 7.0% | 6.4% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Miami vs. Wake Forest?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Miami if
- the Frost School of Music
Pick Wake Forest if
- Your odds are realistic at Wake Forest (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Wake Forest costs $8,525 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($78,158 vs $75,328)
- 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
University of Miami
18.9% accept · Coral Gables, Florida
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.