Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina · Private nonprofit, 4-year
At a glance
Average net price
$28,719
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
89.1%
Admission rate
22%
Undergrad size
5,485
In-state tuition
$67,642
Out-of-state tuition
$67,642
Cost of attendance
$87,499
Median earnings (10y)
$78,158
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,475
- ACT midpoint
- Not available
- Retention
- 92.6%
- Locale
- City
Programs breakdown
18 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by social sciences (31%), business (22%), stem (22%).
- STEM22%
- Business22%
- Humanities & arts17%
- Social sciences31%
- Trades & services7%
- Business22.4%~1,226 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Social sciences21.2%~1,161 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~517 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Communication9.3%~508 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Psychology9.2%~505 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~398 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Computer science3.0%~164 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- History2.8%~156 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Engineering2.7%~148 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~148 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Mathematics2.5%~135 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- English2.0%~111 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~82 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~66 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~53 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Education0.8%~45 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~45 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~16 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 606 | $86,086 | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Master's | 585 | $77,362 | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor's | 303 | $73,169 | $19,500 |
| Law. | First professional | 292 | $58,731 | — |
| Medicine. | First professional | 278 | $56,086 | — |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor's | 274 | $65,533 | $18,899 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 254 | $43,075 | $22,250 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 252 | $49,727 | $23,133 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 234 | $26,694 | $21,500 |
| Economics. | Bachelor's | 230 | $57,100 | $20,927 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 181 | $24,506 | $22,612 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 177 | $24,425 | $23,250 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master's | 175 | $40,913 | — |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master's | 174 | $96,143 | — |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies. | Master's | 133 | — | — |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor's | 116 | $70,098 | $20,674 |
| Biology, General. | Master's | 95 | $39,388 | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. | Bachelor's | 84 | — | — |
| History. | Bachelor's | 83 | $40,486 | $23,000 |
| Engineering, General. | Bachelor's | 81 | — | — |
| Statistics. | Bachelor's | 78 | $40,169 | — |
| Sociology. | Bachelor's | 78 | $39,812 | $23,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor's | 76 | $43,018 | $19,500 |
| Philosophy. | Bachelor's | 70 | — | — |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 59 | — | — |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor's | 58 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 54 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor's | 51 | $34,991 | — |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor's | 50 | $37,985 | $22,250 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master's | 47 | $169,430 | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Bachelor's | 45 | — | — |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies. | Master's | 43 | $33,944 | — |
| Sustainability Studies. | Master's | 34 | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Master's | 33 | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master's | 31 | — | — |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs. | Master's | 30 | — | — |
| Anthropology. | Bachelor's | 29 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master's | 28 | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Master's | 24 | $48,091 | — |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering. | Master's | 22 | — | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a large institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 5,485 undergraduate students in a city setting. The most popular fields of study include Business, Social sciences, Biological sciences.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Wake Forest University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $28,719 per year, which is above the national average compared to other U.S. institutions. Published tuition is $67,642 per year before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $87,499 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 89.1%, a strong completion outcome. 92.6% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $78,158 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Wake Forest University confers degrees and certificates across 18 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Business, Social sciences, Biological sciences. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by social sciences (31% of credentials), business (22% of credentials), stem (22% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Wake Forest University accepts 22% of applicants, making it selective. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,475.
Location & campus
Set in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (city), Wake Forest University draws students from across North Carolina and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Wake Forest University
Q.How much does Wake Forest University cost?
The average net price at Wake Forest University is $28,719 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $87,499.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Wake Forest University?
Wake Forest University has a 6-year graduation rate of 89.1% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Wake Forest University?
Wake Forest University admits 22% of applicants, which is considered selective.
Q.How much do Wake Forest University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Wake Forest University graduate earns $78,158 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Wake Forest University?
Published tuition is $67,642 in-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Wake Forest University located?
Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (ZIP 27106).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Wake Forest University at their official website.