North Carolina vs. Wake Forest University: Cost, Bar Passage & Outcomes Compared
Both are North Carolina law schools. On the most recent ABA Standard 509 data, North Carolina is the more selective admit (median LSAT 168 vs 166); North Carolina posts the higher first-time bar passage (92.27% vs 88.24%); North Carolina is cheaper on sticker tuition ($28,082 vs $57,920); Wake Forest University places more graduates in full-time JD jobs (98.7% vs 97.3%).
Side by side (ABA Standard 509)
| Metric | North Carolina | Wake Forest University | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | |||
| Median LSAT | 168 | 166 | North Carolina |
| Median undergraduate GPA | 3.89 | 3.79 | North Carolina |
| Acceptance rate | 11.2% | 24.6% | North Carolina |
| Cost | |||
| Resident tuition | $28,082 | $57,920 | North Carolina |
| Non-resident tuition | $51,320 | $57,920 | North Carolina |
| Median grant | $17,000 | $40,000 | Wake Forest University |
| Bar passage | |||
| First-time bar passage | 92.27% | 88.24% | North Carolina |
| Two-year ultimate bar passage | 94.62% | 98.45% | Wake Forest University |
| Bar passage vs. state average | +12.7 pts | +8.9 pts | North Carolina |
| Employment | |||
| Full-time, long-term JD employment | 97.3% | 98.7% | Wake Forest University |
| Large-firm (250+) employment | 30.1% | 33.6% | Wake Forest University |
| Federal clerkships | 4.4% | 4.4% | Tie |
15-year trajectory
Full profiles & related
North Carolina full profile · Wake Forest University full profile · All North Carolina law schools
FAQ
Is North Carolina or Wake Forest University harder to get into?
North Carolina is the tougher admit — its median LSAT is 168 against Wake Forest University's 166.
Which is cheaper, North Carolina or Wake Forest University?
North Carolina is cheaper on sticker: resident tuition of $28,082 versus Wake Forest University's $57,920.
Which has better bar passage, North Carolina or Wake Forest University?
North Carolina has the higher first-time bar passage, 92.27% against Wake Forest University's 88.24%.
Which has better job outcomes, North Carolina or Wake Forest University?
Wake Forest University places more graduates in full-time, long-term JD jobs (98.7% vs 97.3%).
North Carolina vs Wake Forest University: which is better?
It depends on what you weigh — the table above shows where each wins. Across the four headline measures (selectivity, sticker cost, first-time bar passage, and JD employment), North Carolina leads on more of them, but read the row that matters most to you rather than the count.
Source: ABA Standard 509 Required Disclosures, most recent reported cycle. Last updated June 26, 2026.