Wake Forest University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Wake Forest University (Wake Forest) is a selective private research university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, serving roughly 5,485 students. Admission is selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 21.67% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $78,158 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $67,642
- 2024 Average Net Price: $28,719 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 21.67% Selective
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 5,485 98.7% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 89.15%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 12.0%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 4.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 17.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 75.6%
- Average SAT Score: 1475
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,691
- Applicants (IPEDS): 17,479
- Room & Board: $18,494 annual estimate
Wake Forest University: what the data shows
Common questions about Wake Forest University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Wake Forest University?
Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (ZIP 27106).
NCES locale classification: City.
Is Wake Forest University public or private?
Wake Forest University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Wake Forest University cost?
Published tuition: $67,642.
Average net price after aid: $28,719.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $6,525 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $6,331 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $7,647 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $12,771 |
| $110,001+ | $58,081 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $270,568.
How hard is it to get into Wake Forest University?
Admission rate: 21.67%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1475.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Wake Forest University?
Total enrollment: 5,485 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 5,691 students.
Graduate enrollment: 3,832 students.
About 99% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Wake Forest University?
150%-time completion rate: 89.15%.
First-year retention: 92.6%.
What do graduates of Wake Forest University earn?
Median earnings: $67,722 six years after entry; $78,158 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $21,500.
10.09% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Wake Forest University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (221 completions)
- Management Science (161 completions)
- Psychology, General (157 completions)
- Law (156 completions)
- Communication and Media Studies (155 completions)
- Political Science and Government, General (142 completions)
- Medicine (141 completions)
- Economics, General (137 completions)
- Finance, General (133 completions)
- Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services (110 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Wake Forest University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 21.67%; completion rate 89.15%; median earnings $78,158 at 10 years; net price $28,719. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$67,642
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Wake Forest University was $67,642.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$28,719
2024 Value
In 2024 Wake Forest University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $28,719.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$114,876 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$28,719 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$270,568 4-Year Tuition
$18,494 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,680 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$87,816 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$351,264 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Wake Forest University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
10.09% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
13.98% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Wake Forest University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Wake Forest University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $44,742 | $44,742 | $29,115 |
| 2014 | $46,200 | $46,200 | $30,472 |
| 2015 | $47,682 | $47,682 | $30,831 |
| 2016 | $49,308 | $49,308 | $28,082 |
| 2017 | $51,400 | $51,400 | $33,382 |
| 2018 | $53,322 | $53,322 | $32,129 |
| 2019 | $55,440 | $55,440 | $29,990 |
| 2020 | $57,760 | $57,760 | $32,845 |
| 2021 | $59,770 | $59,770 | $29,214 |
| 2022 | $62,128 | $62,128 | $34,720 |
| 2023 | $64,758 | $64,758 | $28,746 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
21.67% Acceptance Rate
17,479 Total Applicants
3,768 Students Admitted
1,385 First-Time Students Enrolled
36.76% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution is highly selective, accepting fewer than 3 in 10 applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1475
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.7 - 3.9
Estimated Median GPA: 3.85
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Wake Forest University reported total enrollment of about 5,485 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 45% male and 55% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (65.1%), Hispanic or Latino (9.7%), and Black or African American (6.4%). About 10.09% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 12.0% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
98.7% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Wake Forest University in 2024 is 5,485 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 5,691 students. Graduate enrollment is about 3,832 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
92.6%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 65.1%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
84.23% 100% Completion Time
89.15% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 84.23% of students graduating from Wake Forest University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 58% male / 42% female
- Management Science: 60% male / 40% female
- Psychology, General: 22% male / 78% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Wake Forest University.
Return on Investment
$21,500 Median Student Debt
$78,158 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
27.51% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
580.37% Return on Investment
2.8 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Wake Forest University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 85 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 221 completions
2. Management Science: 161 completions
3. Psychology, General: 157 completions
4. Law: 156 completions
5. Communication and Media Studies: 155 completions
6. Political Science and Government, General: 142 completions
7. Medicine: 141 completions
8. Economics, General: 137 completions
9. Finance, General: 133 completions
Most popular programs at Wake Forest University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Wake Forest University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Wake Forest University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 75.6%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $12,666
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $35,708
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Wake Forest University is a private non-profit institution located in Winston-Salem, NC, classified as Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Management Science, Psychology, General. Enrollment is approximately 5,485 students. Student body composition includes White (65.1%), Hispanic or Latino (9.7%), Black or African American (6.4%). It is selective, with an admission rate of 21.67%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1475. The 150%-time completion rate is 89.15%. Approximately 10.09% of students receive Pell Grants. About 12.0% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
Location
Winston-Salem, NC 27106
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 89.15% graduation rate, Wake Forest University demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 85 distinct degree programs, Wake Forest University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Wake Forest located?
Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC. The institution is also known as Wake Forest.
What is Wake Forest's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Wake Forest University (Wake Forest) is 21.7% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 17,479 applicants and 3,768 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Wake Forest cost?
Reported tuition is $67,642 and average net price is $28,719 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $18,494 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Wake Forest?
Wake Forest University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 5,691 students, White (65.1%), Hispanic or Latino (9.7%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Wake Forest?
About 12.0% of students at Wake Forest University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Wake Forest University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Wake Forest University reports midpoint SAT about 1475.
What do graduates of Wake Forest University earn?
Median earnings are $67,722 six years after entry and $78,158 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Wake Forest University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 89.1% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Wake Forest University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $21,500.
Is Wake Forest University public or private?
Wake Forest University is a private nonprofit institution located in Winston-Salem, NC.
Is Wake Forest University an HBCU?
No. Wake Forest University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Wake Forest University a tribal college?
No. Wake Forest University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- North Carolina college profile
- North Carolina college costs
- North Carolina colleges by ROI
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- Urban (City) college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in North Carolina
- North Carolina college costs
- North Carolina colleges by ROI
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in North Carolina
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.