Liberal Arts at Middlebury vs Wake Forest: Which Degree Is Worth More in 2026?

The Quick Comparison

	Middlebury College	Wake Forest University
Type	Private	Private
Location	Middlebury, VT	Winston-Salem, NC
Median Salary	$0/yr	$0/yr
Annual Net Cost	$25,934/yr	$28,746/yr
4-Year Total Cost	$103,736	$114,984
Completion Rate	93%	91%
Value Score	7/100	7/100

Cost Breakdown

Middlebury College costs $25,934 per year after financial aid, totaling approximately $103,736 over four years. Wake Forest University comes in at $28,746 per year, or $114,984 total.

That's a difference of $11,248 over four years. Middlebury College is the more affordable option.

Earnings After Graduation

Liberal Arts graduates from Middlebury College earn a median of $0 per year within one year of graduation. Graduates from Wake Forest University earn $0.

Both programs produce graduates with similar earnings. Over a 10-year career, that difference compounds significantly.

The Verdict

Based on the Value Score — which factors in cost, earnings, break-even time, and completion rate — Middlebury College delivers better overall value for a Liberal Arts degree.

However, the "right" choice depends on your specific financial situation, career goals, and personal fit. A school that's cheaper but has lower earnings might still be the better choice if you graduate debt-free, and a more expensive school might be worth it if it opens specific career doors in your field.

Use the links below to see the full scorecard for each program, or use the compare tool to add a third school to the mix.