Rollins College vs Wake Forest University (WFU)

Rollins College and Wake Forest University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Rollins, a liberal arts college nestled in Winter Park, Florida, boasts a tight-knit community and a focus on personalized learning. Wake Forest, a private research university located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, emphasizes interdisciplinary studies and research opportunities. With Rollins' acceptance rate hovering around 65% and Wake Forest's at 33%, the selectivity of these institutions varies. While Rollins' student body is predominantly female, Wake Forest's is more evenly balanced. Rollins excels in majors like business, psychology, and biology, while Wake Forest shines in fields such as business, biology, and engineering. Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with Rollins at 83% and Wake Forest at 88%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more distinctions and determine which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Rollins College logo

Rollins College

Wake Forest University logo

Wake Forest University

Overview

Location Winter Park, Florida Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Campus setting Suburb: Large 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 83.0% 94.0%
Common app member Yes No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 48.7% 25.2%
Application fees $50
Undergraduate: $85

Graduate: $80
SAT range N/A N/A
ACT range N/A N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants 8,409 15,156
Total number of admissions given out 4,094 3,816
Admitted students who chose to enroll 549 1,412
Yield rate 13.4% 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 $68,790 $79,886
Average net price $30,229 $24,643
Tuition $54,740 $58,708
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $9,250

Meal plan: $6,390
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)

96.0%
Average amount $38,351
33.0%
Average amount $53,244
Students receiving federal student loan 36.0%
Average amount $5,292
17.0%
Average amount $4,985
Students taking out private loans 3.0%
Average amount $25,790
3.0%
Average amount $32,719

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 2,510
Men 40.0% Women 60.0%
5,472
Men 45.7% Women 54.3%
Graduate students 547
Men 44.8% Women 55.2%
3,475
Men 42.4% Women 57.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students 49.1% N/A
International students 9.0% 9.8%
Campus local/setting Suburb: Large City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity 1,555 4,152
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Florida New York Georgia Connecticut North Carolina N/A

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Social Sciences
  • Education
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Legal Profession
  • Education
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio 11:1 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 70.6% 90.2%
Dropout rate 0.4% 9.5%
Transferred out 28.8% N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,158
  • Year 2: $62,806
  • Year 3: $75,171
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $44,266
  • Year 2: $42,044
  • Year 3: $57,122
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $43,638
  • Year 3: $47,646
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,075
  • Year 2: $45,500
  • Year 3: $46,388
International Business (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $44,044
  • Year 2: $43,798
  • Year 3: $44,591
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $30,330
  • Year 2: $36,368
  • Year 3: $40,355
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $20,629
  • Year 2: $25,194
  • Year 3: $39,001
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $24,214
  • Year 2: $30,228
  • Year 3: $34,385
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $18,126
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: $27,620
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $28,095
  • Year 2: $20,140
  • Year 3: $22,697
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 key differences in location and campus environment between Rollins College and Wake Forest University?

    Rollins College is located in Winter Park, Florida, a charming and vibrant city near Orlando. This provides a more urban and warm-weather environment. Wake Forest University is situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, offering a more traditional college town experience with distinct seasons. Rollins boasts a lakeside campus, while Wake Forest has a larger, more wooded campus.

  • How do Rollins College and Wake Forest University compare in terms of size and student body?

    Rollins College is a smaller liberal arts college with a more intimate learning environment. Wake Forest University is a mid-sized university, offering a broader range of programs and a larger student body. This difference impacts class sizes and the overall campus feel.

  • What are the academic strengths of Rollins College and Wake Forest University?

    Rollins College excels in liberal arts, business, and pre-professional programs, emphasizing experiential learning and personalized attention. Wake Forest University is known for its strong liberal arts foundation, business school, law school, and medical school, offering a wider array of graduate programs and research opportunities.

  • How do the costs of attending Rollins College and Wake Forest University compare?

    Both Rollins College and Wake Forest University are private institutions with comparable tuition costs. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on financial aid packages, scholarships, and living expenses. It's best to compare your individual financial aid offers from both institutions.

  • What is the student life like at Rollins College versus Wake Forest University?

    Rollins College offers a vibrant student life with a focus on campus activities, Greek life, and outdoor recreation due to its lakeside location. Wake Forest University has a strong emphasis on tradition, athletics (particularly basketball), and a close-knit campus community. Both offer a variety of clubs, organizations, and social events.

  • How do Rollins College and Wake Forest University differ in their approach to career services and post-graduation opportunities?

    Both Rollins College and Wake Forest University provide comprehensive career services, including internships, career counseling, and networking opportunities. Wake Forest's larger alumni network and broader range of graduate programs may offer advantages in certain fields. Rollins' location near Orlando provides access to internships and job opportunities in various industries, including tourism and hospitality.

  • What are the admission requirements and acceptance rates for Rollins College and Wake Forest University?

    Both Rollins College and Wake Forest University are selective institutions with rigorous admission requirements. Wake Forest typically has a lower acceptance rate than Rollins, making it generally more competitive to get into. Both schools consider academic record, standardized test scores (though policies may vary), essays, and extracurricular activities.

  • How do the faculty and teaching styles compare at Rollins College and Wake Forest University?

    Both Rollins College and Wake Forest University boast highly qualified faculty dedicated to teaching and student success. Rollins emphasizes small class sizes and close interaction with professors. Wake Forest also values faculty-student relationships, but class sizes may be larger, especially in introductory courses. Both institutions encourage undergraduate research opportunities.

  • What are some unique programs or opportunities offered at Rollins College that are not available at Wake Forest University, and vice versa?

    Rollins College offers unique programs related to its location, such as marine biology and environmental studies with access to Florida's ecosystems. Wake Forest University has distinctive programs in areas like bioethics, documentary film, and a strong emphasis on global studies with numerous study abroad options. The Wake Forest School of Medicine is also a significant differentiator.

  • How do the athletic programs compare between Rollins College and Wake Forest University?

    Rollins College competes in NCAA Division II athletics, offering a variety of sports with a focus on student-athlete development. Wake Forest University is a member of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), known for its highly competitive athletic programs, particularly in basketball, football, and golf. The athletic experience differs significantly in terms of scale and competitiveness.

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