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Wake Forest University

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC · City · 5,485 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Nov 15 · Early Decision I (binding) · in 44 days
Checked Sep 2026 · admissions.wfu.edu
$28,719
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
90%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$78,158
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
22%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Wake Forest University is renowned for blending the intensive research opportunities of a major university with the close-knit, undergraduate-focused atmosphere of a liberal arts college. Its strongest academic programs include finance and accountancy within the highly regarded School of Business, as well as robust pre-health tracks, political science, and psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences. Campus life is vibrant, athletic, and community-driven, centered around Division I ACC Demon Deacon sports, active Greek life, and the picturesque Reynolda Campus. A defining characteristic is the university's guiding motto, *Pro Humanitate* ("For Humanity"), which deeply shapes the student experience through a strong commitment to service, leadership, and personal ethics.

Wikipedia:Wake Forest University is a private research university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Baptist Christians in 1834, the institution received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, has been located north of downtown Winston-Salem since the university moved there in 1956.

Location
Winston-Salem, NC, 27106 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
RDU · Raleigh-Durham
85 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$67,642
Housing & food (on campus)$18,494
Books & supplies$1,680
Cost of attendance$98,730
Average net price$28,719
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$67,642
Housing & food (on campus)$18,494
Books & supplies$1,680
Cost of attendance$98,730
Average net price$28,719
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: financialaid.wfu.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Wake Forest University’s own figures for 2026-27, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$71,894
Fees$1,276
Housing$12,900
Food$7,396
Books & supplies$1,720
Personal expenses$1,930
Transportation$1,550
Total published by the school$98,730
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$6,525
$30–48k
$6,331
$48–75k
$7,647
$75–110k
$12,771
$110k+
$58,081
Merit aid · 2024-25
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$22,826
First-years who got one37
Source: Wake Forest University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
90%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
84%
Back for yr 2
93%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
90% graduated · 6% transferred · 3% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$67,722
10 yrs after entry$78,158
Debt
Median at graduation$21,500
Monthly payment$228
Middle 50% owe$12.5k–$29.5k
90th percentile$36,500
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: 70% graduate within 6 yrs, $63,395 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
22%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1475
R 700–750 · M 710–770
SAT middle 50%: 1410–1520
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Decision I
Nov 15 2026
binding in 44 days
If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Early Action
Nov 15 2026
in 44 days
Not binding: apply early, hear early, and you can still apply elsewhere.
Early Decision II
Jan 1 2027
binding in 91 days
A later Early Decision round: if admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Regular Decision
Jan 1 2027
in 91 days
Not binding: the standard deadline.
Checked Sep 2026 · admissions.wfu.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Wake Forest University: Very important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Wake Forest University's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
From Wake Forest University (admissions.wfu.edu) · 2026–27 application · checked Sep 28, 2026
  • Choose one of four
    • List five books you've read that have intrigued you.
      150 characters max · Optional
    • Tell us what piques your intellectual curiosity or has helped you understand the world's complexity. This can include a work you've read, a project you've completed for a class, and even co-curricular activities in which you have been involved.
      150 words max · Optional
    • How does this quote relate to your lived experience or reflect how you plan to contribute to the Wake Forest community?
      300 words max · Optional
    • Give us your Top Ten List. (The choice of theme is yours.)
      100 characters max · Optional
  • Why Wake?
    100 words max

Quoted from Wake Forest University's own page. The application itself is the final word.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 45%Women 55%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
10 : 1
Pell grant
10%
First-gen
12%
Family income
$94,263
Independent
3%
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
1%
Race & ethnicity
White
65%
Hispanic
10%
Black
6%
Asian
5%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
6%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FBS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$67,722
After 10 yrs
$78,158
Finance and Financial Management Services156
Communication and Media Studies124
Business/Commerce, General120
Psychology, General119
Political Science and Government119
Economics110
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness102
Biology, General89
Computer Science67
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology47
English Language and Literature, General37
Statistics37
Engineering, General36
Philosophy36
Accounting and Related Services34
Mathematics32
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$2.0B
Full-time faculty
76%
Faculty salary
$12,666/mo
Teaching spend
$35,708
per student
Federal loans
14%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R2 — high research
$345M research spending · 54 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Wake Forest University is the right fit for you?

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