Wake Forest University
A good fit for competitive applicants. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $79,600 within 10 years; strong 89% graduation rate.
About This School
Wake Forest University is a private nonprofit institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with approximately 5,485 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 22% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $28,719 per year. The graduation rate is 89%, and the typical graduate earns $79,600 within 10 years of enrollment.
Wake Forest University is a private research university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States. Established in 1834 by Baptists, the university 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. Wake Forest also maintains other academic campuses or facilities in Charlotte, North Carolina; Washington, D.C.; Venice; Vienna; and London.
This is a strong option for students who want a tight-knit, academically serious environment — a 95% freshman retention rate and 91% graduation rate signal that students who get in tend to thrive and finish. At $28,746/year after aid, it's not cheap, but median earnings of $79,600 a decade out and relatively modest debt of $19,500 at graduation suggest the investment tends to pay off. The 22% acceptance rate means it's selective, so apply here if you're a competitive student looking for a smaller university feel with solid career outcomes.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 31% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (5,485 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in North Carolina
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC · Public
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC · Public
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC · Public
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC · Public
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC · Public
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.