High Point University vs Wake Forest University (WFU)

High Point University and Wake Forest University, both esteemed institutions in North Carolina, offer distinct educational experiences. High Point, a private university with an acceptance rate of 72%, boasts a diverse student body and popular majors in business, health professions, and education. Wake Forest, a private research university with a more selective acceptance rate of 33%, excels in liberal arts and sciences, business, and health sciences. While High Point's smaller size fosters a close-knit community, Wake Forest's larger student body provides a vibrant and diverse campus life. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with High Point at 78% and Wake Forest at 89%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' unique strengths and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
High Point University logo

High Point University

Wake Forest University logo

Wake Forest University

Overview

Location High Point, North Carolina Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Campus setting City: Midsize City: Midsize
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 82.0% 94.0%
Common app member Yes No
Religious affiliation Methodism

Admission

Acceptance rate 80.3% 25.2%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $50
Undergraduate: $85

Graduate: $80
SAT range 1105 - 1300 N/A
ACT range 22 - 29 N/A
Students submitting SAT score 23.0%
Students submitting ACT score 22.0%
Total number of applicants 11,150 15,156
Total number of admissions given out 8,951 3,816
Admitted students who chose to enroll 1,441 1,412
Yield rate 16.1% 37.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Required Required
High school transcript Not required Required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $55,752 $79,886
Average net price $40,604 $24,643
Tuition $34,628 $58,708
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $7,962

Meal plan: $7,944
Room/dormitory: $10,144

Meal plan: $7,870
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Prepaid tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

89.0%
Average amount $16,559
33.0%
Average amount $53,244
Students receiving federal student loan 43.0%
Average amount $5,376
17.0%
Average amount $4,985
Students taking out private loans 11.0%
Average amount $25,881
3.0%
Average amount $32,719

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 4,910
Men 44.1% Women 55.9%
5,472
Men 45.7% Women 54.3%
Graduate students 950
Men 34.3% Women 65.7%
3,475
Men 42.4% Women 57.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students N/A N/A
International students 1.6% 9.8%
Campus local/setting City: Midsize City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity 4,862 4,152
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from N/A N/A

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Communication and Journalism
  • Education
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Legal Profession
  • Education
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio 17:1 10:1
Institutional accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 70.5% 90.2%
Dropout rate 29.5% 9.5%
Transferred out N/A N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,065
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,466
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $26,897
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,246
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $99,438
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $41,062
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,708
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $169,430
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: $155,438
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $96,143
  • Year 2: $96,587
  • Year 3: $105,398
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $73,169
  • Year 2: $80,510
  • Year 3: $96,761
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $86,086
  • Year 2: $76,836
  • Year 3: $93,939
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $70,098
  • Year 2: $71,015
  • Year 3: $89,902
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,076
  • Year 2: $65,145
  • Year 3: $79,400
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,533
  • Year 2: $66,653
  • Year 3: $76,702
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,731
  • Year 2: $60,811
  • Year 3: $72,065
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $57,100
  • Year 2: $55,693
  • Year 3: $70,717
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,086
  • Year 2: $57,411
  • Year 3: $65,270

Frequently Asked Questions


  • What are the primary differences between High Point University and Wake Forest University?

    High Point University (HPU) is a private, primarily undergraduate institution known for its focus on experiential learning, career preparation, and a highly residential campus environment. Wake Forest University (WFU) is a private, research-oriented university with a strong liberal arts tradition and a graduate school presence. HPU emphasizes a holistic development approach, while WFU is known for its academic rigor and research opportunities.

  • How do the academic programs at High Point University and Wake Forest University compare?

    Wake Forest University offers a broader range of graduate programs and doctoral studies compared to High Point University. Both institutions offer strong undergraduate programs, but Wake Forest is particularly well-regarded for its programs in law, medicine, business, and the humanities. High Point University excels in areas like communication, business administration, and design, with a strong emphasis on practical application and industry connections.

  • What is the typical student life experience like at each university?

    High Point University is known for its vibrant and highly structured campus life, with a focus on student engagement and a wide array of extracurricular activities. Wake Forest University offers a more traditional college experience, with a strong emphasis on academics, student-led organizations, and a balance between social and intellectual pursuits. HPU emphasizes a residential experience, while WFU offers more flexibility in housing options.

  • How do the campus environments differ between High Point University and Wake Forest University?

    High Point University boasts a meticulously maintained and aesthetically pleasing campus with state-of-the-art facilities, designed to create a luxurious and inspiring learning environment. Wake Forest University's campus is more traditional, with a focus on historic architecture and a serene, wooded setting. HPU's campus is designed to impress, while WFU's campus emphasizes a sense of history and academic tradition.

  • What are the average class sizes and student-to-faculty ratios at High Point University and Wake Forest University?

    Both universities offer relatively small class sizes, fostering a close-knit learning environment. Wake Forest University generally has a slightly lower student-to-faculty ratio, allowing for more individualized attention. High Point University also maintains a commitment to personalized learning, with faculty actively involved in student mentorship and development.

  • How do the career services and internship opportunities compare between the two universities?

    High Point University places a significant emphasis on career preparation, offering extensive career services, internship programs, and networking opportunities. Wake Forest University also provides strong career support, leveraging its alumni network and connections in various industries. Both universities are committed to helping students secure meaningful employment after graduation, but HPU's approach is more explicitly focused on career readiness from day one.

  • What is the cost of attendance at High Point University versus Wake Forest University?

    Both High Point University and Wake Forest University are private institutions, and their costs of attendance are comparable. However, it's important to consider financial aid and scholarship opportunities, which can significantly impact the net cost for individual students. Prospective students should carefully review the financial aid packages offered by each university.

  • What are the admission requirements for High Point University and Wake Forest University?

    Wake Forest University is generally considered more selective in its admissions process than High Point University. Both universities consider factors such as GPA, standardized test scores (though many schools are test optional now), essays, and extracurricular activities. Wake Forest places a greater emphasis on academic excellence and intellectual curiosity, while High Point University also values leadership potential and a strong work ethic.

  • What kind of student is best suited for High Point University versus Wake Forest University?

    High Point University is a good fit for students who thrive in a structured, supportive environment and are highly focused on career preparation. Wake Forest University is well-suited for students who are academically driven, intellectually curious, and seek a strong liberal arts education with research opportunities.

  • Do High Point University and Wake Forest University have similar athletic programs?

    Both universities offer a range of athletic programs. Wake Forest University competes in NCAA Division I as part of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), offering a higher profile in collegiate athletics. High Point University competes in NCAA Division I as part of the Big South Conference. While both offer competitive sports, Wake Forest's ACC affiliation provides greater national exposure.

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