Wake Forest University (WFU) vs Babson College

Wake Forest University and Babson College, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Wake Forest, nestled in the charming town of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, boasts a lower acceptance rate, a more diverse student body, and a broader range of undergraduate programs, including popular majors like biology, psychology, and economics. Babson, located in the vibrant city of Wellesley, Massachusetts, excels in business education, with a higher percentage of students pursuing business-related majors and a strong focus on entrepreneurship. Both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence and offer competitive graduation rates. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details and discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Babson College logo

Babson College

Wake Forest University logo

Wake Forest University

Overview

Location Wellesley, Massachusetts 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 94.0% 94.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 25.4% 25.2%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $75

Graduate: $100
Undergraduate: $85

Graduate: $80
SAT range 1330 - 1480 N/A
ACT range 30 - 33 N/A
Students submitting SAT score 34.0%
Students submitting ACT score 14.0%
Total number of applicants 7,104 15,156
Total number of admissions given out 1,801 3,816
Admitted students who chose to enroll 650 1,412
Yield rate 36.1% 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 $76,360 $79,886
Average net price $29,105 $24,643
Tuition $54,944 $58,708
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $11,910

Meal plan: $6,324
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)

50.0%
Average amount $42,890
33.0%
Average amount $53,244
Students receiving federal student loan 30.0%
Average amount $3,892
17.0%
Average amount $4,985
Students taking out private loans 8.0%
Average amount $24,863
3.0%
Average amount $32,719

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 2,576
Men 56.9% Women 43.1%
5,472
Men 45.7% Women 54.3%
Graduate students 1,108
Men 58.1% Women 41.9%
3,475
Men 42.4% Women 57.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Low
Out-of-state students N/A N/A
International students 30.8% 9.8%
Campus local/setting Suburb: Large City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity 1,988 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
  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Legal Profession
  • Education
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio 16:1 10:1
Institutional accreditation New England Commission on Higher Education Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 93.7% 90.2%
Dropout rate 6.1% 9.5%
Transferred out N/A N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $114,003
  • Year 2: $103,078
  • Year 3: $118,620
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,039
  • Year 2: $61,600
  • Year 3: $76,406
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,923
  • Year 2: $67,101
  • 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 academic focuses of Wake Forest University and Babson College?

    Wake Forest University offers a strong liberal arts education with a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including a well-regarded business school and law school. Babson College, on the other hand, is exclusively focused on business and entrepreneurship education, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in these fields.

  • How do the campus environments and locations differ between Wake Forest and Babson?

    Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, offering a traditional college town experience with a beautiful, historic campus. Babson College is situated in Wellesley, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston, providing access to a vibrant city and a more modern campus setting.

  • What is the typical student body size and overall atmosphere at each institution?

    Wake Forest University has a larger student body, fostering a more diverse academic and social environment with a wider range of extracurricular activities. Babson College has a smaller, more tight-knit community, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and entrepreneurial spirit.

  • How do Wake Forest and Babson approach career services and post-graduation opportunities?

    Both universities offer robust career services. Wake Forest leverages its broad alumni network across various industries, while Babson excels in connecting students with entrepreneurial ventures, startups, and established businesses, particularly in the Boston area.

  • What are the key differences in the undergraduate curriculum at Wake Forest and Babson?

    Wake Forest's undergraduate curriculum emphasizes a liberal arts foundation, encouraging students to explore various disciplines before specializing. Babson's undergraduate curriculum is heavily focused on business from the start, with a practical, hands-on approach to learning and a strong emphasis on entrepreneurial thinking.

  • How do the admission requirements and acceptance rates compare between Wake Forest and Babson?

    Both Wake Forest and Babson are highly selective institutions. Generally, Wake Forest may have a slightly higher acceptance rate than Babson. Both require strong academic records, standardized test scores (though policies may vary), and compelling essays demonstrating intellectual curiosity and leadership potential.

  • What types of students typically thrive at Wake Forest versus Babson?

    Wake Forest is a good fit for students seeking a well-rounded education with a strong liberal arts foundation and opportunities to explore various academic interests. Babson is ideal for students who are passionate about business and entrepreneurship and eager to develop practical skills and launch their own ventures.

  • How do the costs of attendance and financial aid opportunities compare between the two schools?

    The cost of attendance at both Wake Forest and Babson is significant and comparable. Both institutions offer financial aid packages, including scholarships, grants, and loans. The specific aid offered will vary based on individual financial circumstances and academic merit.

  • What are some notable academic programs or departments at Wake Forest that Babson does not offer?

    Wake Forest offers strong programs in areas like law, medicine (through its affiliation with Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center), divinity, and various humanities disciplines, which are not available at Babson due to its exclusive focus on business and entrepreneurship.

  • What are some unique aspects of Babson's entrepreneurial ecosystem that Wake Forest may not have?

    Babson boasts a highly developed entrepreneurial ecosystem, including dedicated incubators, accelerators, venture capital funds, and a strong network of successful entrepreneurs who serve as mentors and advisors. While Wake Forest has entrepreneurial initiatives, Babson's focus and resources in this area are more extensive.

  • How does the alumni network differ between Wake Forest and Babson?

    Wake Forest has a large and diverse alumni network spanning various industries and professions, offering broad career opportunities. Babson's alumni network is more concentrated in the business and entrepreneurial sectors, providing strong connections for students interested in these fields.

  • Are there opportunities for cross-registration or collaboration between Wake Forest and Babson?

    Due to the distance and different academic focuses, there are typically no formal cross-registration or collaborative programs between Wake Forest and Babson. Students generally pursue their studies exclusively at their chosen institution.

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