Choosing the right college is an important decision that will affect the next four years of your life and beyond. To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled a comparison between Wake Forest University and the University of Miami. These two prestigious institutions have much to offer, but differ in many aspects such as cost, admissions, academics, and outcomes. This article will provide an overview of each school, followed by a detailed comparison of their costs, admissions, academics, and outcomes.
Wake Forest University Overview
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational research university located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Established in 1834, Wake Forest is known for its strong liberal arts foundation, commitment to undergraduate education, and emphasis on both teaching and research. With a student population of approximately 8,000, Wake Forest offers a close-knit community and personalized education experience.
Wake Forest University Costs & Tuition
Wake Forest has a comprehensive cost of attendance, which includes tuition, room and board, and additional expenses. For the 2021-2022 academic year, undergraduate tuition is $57,760, while room and board is $16,270. Additional expenses such as books, supplies, and personal expenses are estimated to be around $4,540. Overall, the total cost of attendance for an undergraduate student is approximately $78,570 per year.
Wake Forest University Admissions
Wake Forest has a selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 30%. Applicants are evaluated based on their academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities. Wake Forest is test-optional, meaning that applicants can choose whether or not to submit SAT or ACT scores. In addition to a high school transcript and recommendation letters, prospective students must also complete several short essay questions as part of the application process.
Wake Forest University Degrees Offered
Wake Forest offers a wide range of undergraduate programs across various fields of study. The university has six undergraduate schools: College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Divinity, School of Law, School of Medicine, and Graduate School. Students can choose from more than 45 majors and 60 minors in areas such as natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and interdisciplinary studies.
Wake Forest University Academics
At Wake Forest, the average class size is 20 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1. This allows for a more personalized and engaging educational experience for students. The university is committed to providing its students with a well-rounded liberal arts education while also offering opportunities for research and experiential learning.
Wake Forest University Diversity
Wake Forest is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community. According to the university’s Fall 2020 enrollment data, 63.8% of the undergraduate population identifies as white, 8.5% as Black or African American, 8.2% as Hispanic or Latino, 6.1% as Asian, 0.9% as American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.1% as Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, while 12.4% identify as two or more races.
Wake Forest University Students
With a total enrollment of approximately 8,000 students, Wake Forest offers a close-knit and supportive community. The university encourages students to be involved on campus and offers numerous clubs, organizations, and activities to choose from. Some popular student organizations include the Student Government Association, Residence Hall Association, and Volunteer Service Corps.
Wake Forest University Campus
Wake Forest’s campus is located on a 340-acre plot of land in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The picturesque campus features beautiful Georgian architecture, state-of-the-art facilities, and lush green spaces. On-campus housing is available for all undergraduate students, and there are various dining options and amenities available to suit different preferences.
Wake Forest University Alumni
Wake Forest has a strong network of over 80,000 alumni worldwide. Some notable Wake Forest alumni include Tim Duncan, former NBA player and five-time NBA champion; Charlie Ergen, co-founder and chairman of Dish Network; and Christa Miller, actress known for her roles in “Scrubs” and “The Drew Carey Show.”
Wake Forest University Rankings
Wake Forest University is consistently ranked among the top national universities by various publications. In the 2021 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges, Wake Forest ranked 28th among national universities and 16th for best undergraduate teaching.
Wake Forest University Outcomes
According to the university’s data, 95% of Wake Forest graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. The median starting salary for Wake Forest graduates is $60,000.
University of Miami Overview
The University of Miami is a private research university located in Coral Gables, Florida. Founded in 1925, the University of Miami offers a diverse range of academic programs and a strong commitment to research and experiential learning. With a student population of around 17,000, the University of Miami provides a unique and engaging community in the vibrant city of Miami.
University of Miami Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-2022 academic year, undergraduate tuition at the University of Miami is $54,720, with room and board costs totaling $15,370. Additional expenses such as books, supplies, and personal expenses are estimated to be around $4,000. The total cost of attendance for an undergraduate student at the University of Miami is approximately $74,090 per year.
University of Miami Admissions
The University of Miami has a selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of approximately 32%. Similar to Wake Forest, the University of Miami also has a test-optional policy for SAT and ACT scores. Prospective students must submit a high school transcript, recommendation letters, and complete the Common Application, which includes several essay questions.
University of Miami Degrees Offered
The University of Miami offers more than 180 undergraduate programs across 11 schools and colleges. Some popular majors include business, engineering, communication, and health sciences.
University of Miami Academics
The University of Miami has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1, with an average class size of 26 students. This provides an engaging and personalized learning experience for students. The university emphasizes hands-on learning and research opportunities across various disciplines.
University of Miami Diversity
The University of Miami is known for its diverse student body, with students from all 50 states and over 100 countries. According to the university’s Fall 2020 enrollment data, 46% of the undergraduate population identifies as white, 27% as Hispanic or Latino, 8% as Black or African American, 7% as Asian, and 2% as two or more races, while less than 1% identifies as American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander.
University of Miami Students
With around 17,000 students, the University of Miami offers a vibrant and diverse community. The university has over 300 student organizations, including various clubs, fraternities, sororities, and service groups.
University of Miami Campus
The University of Miami’s campus spans 239 acres in the suburban city of Coral Gables, Florida. The campus features a mix of modern and historic architecture, with state-of-the-art facilities and a range of housing and dining options.
University of Miami Alumni
Notable University of Miami alumni include Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, actor and former professional wrestler; Gloria Estefan, singer and songwriter; and Enrique Iglesias, singer and songwriter.
University of Miami Rankings
In the 2021 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges, the University of Miami ranked 49th among national universities and 25th for best undergraduate teaching.
University of Miami Outcomes
According to the university’s data, 91% of University of Miami graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. The median starting salary for University of Miami graduates is $55,000.
Wake Forest University vs University of Miami Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attendance at Wake Forest University and the University of Miami, Wake Forest is slightly more expensive, with a total cost of attendance of $78,570 per year, while the University of Miami’s total cost is $74,090 per year. This difference can be attributed to the higher tuition and room and board costs at Wake Forest.
Wake Forest University vs University of Miami Admissions Difficulty
Both Wake Forest University and the University of Miami have selective admissions processes, with acceptance rates of around 30% and 32%, respectively. Both universities are test-optional, so applicants have the option to submit or withhold their SAT or ACT scores. The application processes for both universities are similar, with requirements for high school transcripts, recommendation letters, and essay questions.
Wake Forest University vs University of Miami Academic Difficulty
Wake Forest University and the University of Miami both offer rigorous academic programs with a variety of undergraduate degrees available. Wake Forest’s smaller class sizes and lower student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1 may provide a more personalized and engaging educational experience compared to the University of Miami’s ratio of 12:1. Both universities emphasize hands-on learning, research, and experiential learning opportunities for students.
Wake Forest University vs University of Miami Outcome Comparison
When comparing outcomes for graduates of Wake Forest University and the University of Miami, Wake Forest graduates have a slightly higher employment or graduate school enrollment rate within six months of graduation (95% compared to 91%). Additionally, the median starting salary for Wake Forest graduates is $60,000, which is higher than the University of Miami’s median starting salary of $55,000.
In conclusion, both Wake Forest University and the University of Miami offer unique academic and campus experiences for their students. Factors such as cost, admissions, academics, and outcomes may help you decide which university is the best fit for you.
