Carson-Newman University vs Wake Forest University (WFU)
Carson-Newman University and Wake Forest University, two distinct institutions of higher learning, offer unique educational experiences to their students. Carson-Newman, a private Christian university located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, fosters a close-knit community with a strong emphasis on faith and service. Wake Forest, a private research university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is renowned for its academic excellence and vibrant campus life. While both universities provide a high-quality education, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Carson-Newman University |
![]() Wake Forest University |
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Overview |
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Location | Jefferson City, Tennessee | Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
Campus setting | Suburb: Small | 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 | 69.0% | 94.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Baptist | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 78.9% | 25.2% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$80
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SAT range | 955 - 1135 | N/A |
ACT range | 19 - 25 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 9.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 78.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 2,953 | 15,156 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,329 | 3,816 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 395 | 1,412 |
Yield rate | 17.0% | 37.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $43,818 | $79,886 |
Average net price | $18,147 | $24,643 |
Tuition | $29,920 | $58,708 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,134
Meal plan:
$5,340
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Room/dormitory:
$10,144
Meal plan:
$7,870
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $23,432 |
33.0%
Average amount $53,244 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
55.0%
Average amount $5,217 |
17.0%
Average amount $4,985 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $11,046 |
3.0%
Average amount $32,719 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,695
Men 42.8% Women 57.2% |
5,472
Men 45.7% Women 54.3% |
Graduate students |
1,140
Men 23.9% Women 76.1% |
3,475
Men 42.4% Women 57.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 22.8% | N/A |
International students | 4.0% | 9.8% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Small | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 1,172 | 4,152 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Tennessee Florida Georgia South Carolina North Carolina | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 14:1 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 56.5% | 90.2% |
Dropout rate | 7.6% | 9.5% |
Transferred out | 35.2% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
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