Head-to-head comparison
Villanova University vs. Wake Forest University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Villanova or Wake Forest harder to get into?
Wake Forest is harder to get into than Villanova. Wake Forest's 21.7% acceptance rate is lower than Villanova's 27.0%.
Which is cheaper, Villanova or Wake Forest?
Wake Forest costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Wake Forest's average net price is $28,719 vs $43,756 at Villanova.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Villanova graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $100,423 at Villanova and $78,158 at Wake Forest.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Villanova | Wake Forest |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 27.0% | 21.7% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1395–1510 | 1410–1520 |
| ACT mid-50% | 32–34 | 32–34 |
| Cost of attendance | $84,793 | $87,499 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $43,756 | $28,719 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 6,938 | 5,485 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 91.9% | 89.1% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $100,423 | $78,158 |
| Setting | Villanova, PA | 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
Wake Forest is meaningfully harder to get into. A 5.3-percentage-point gap between 27.0% (Villanova) and 21.7% (Wake Forest) reflects real selectivity differences. Villanova is the more realistic target for a balanced college list.
Wake Forest is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $15,037 per year, $60,148 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Villanova graduates earn $22,265 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. Villanova is in Villanova, PA; 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.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Villanova is 53.8% women, 1.8% international, and 6.7% Asian-American. Wake Forest is 55.1% women, 5.8% international, and 5.3% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Villanova | Wake Forest |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 53.8% | 55.1% |
| International | 1.8% | 5.8% |
| White | 67.7% | 65.1% |
| Asian | 6.7% | 5.3% |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 9.7% |
| Black | 6.5% | 6.4% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Villanova vs. Wake Forest?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Villanova if
- Your odds are realistic at Villanova (slightly easier admit)
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($100,423 vs $78,158)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- Augustinian Catholic tradition
Pick Wake Forest if
- Net price matters: Wake Forest costs $15,037 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
Villanova University
27.0% accept · Villanova, PA
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.