Winston-Salem, NC
Wake Forest University is a private nonprofit institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, situated in a large city setting. The university serves an undergraduate population of 5,485 students and maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1.
Wake Forest University accepts 21.7% of applicants, indicating selective admissions. Prospective applicants should demonstrate strong academic qualifications and credentials to be competitive for admission.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 7,864 | 1,751 | 22.3% | 623 |
| Women | 9,613 | 2,017 | 21% | 762 |
Wake Forest University admits 21.7% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 74%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Wake Forest's cost of attendance is $91,202, but the average net price students pay is $28,719, meaning most students pay substantially less than the sticker price.
* One or more income brackets show an unusually low net price, reflecting need-based aid that can reduce cost to near zero for families in that range.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $228.
After aid, Wake Forest University costs $28,719 a year — about 27% more than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Wake Forest University has a 90.0% graduation rate. Graduates earn a median of $67,722 six years after entry and $78,158 ten years after entry.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Finance, General | 133 |
| Political Science and Government, General | 124 |
| Psychology, General | 123 |
| Communication, General | 119 |
| Economics, General | 112 |
| Business/Commerce, General | 106 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 97 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 85 |
| Computer Science | 40 |
| Accounting | 39 |
Median earnings eight years after entering Wake Forest University are $80,513, and 83% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former Wake Forest University students earn $67,722 — 49% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Wake Forest University is a private institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina's large city setting. The undergraduate student body of 5,485 includes 55.2% women, 12.0% first-generation students, and 10.1% Pell grant recipients.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
430 of 5,413 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
8 of 5,471 undergraduates study entirely at a distance, against 1,005 of 3,650 graduate students.
Wake Forest University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and operates its own medical school.
Wake Forest University spends $19,362 per student on research — about 3× a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC, in what IPEDS classifies as a large city setting. The campus sits about 2.3 miles from the center of Winston-Salem. There are 6 other colleges within 25 miles, and Winston-Salem, NC is 2.3 miles away.
Forsyth County scores 6.9 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — below average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 6.6% of Winston-Salem's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures Wake Forest University reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, Wake Forest University reported 2 arrests and 394 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about Wake Forest University admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Wake Forest University has an acceptance rate of 21.7%. This means the university is selective in admissions and receives a competitive applicant pool each year.
The cost of attendance at Wake Forest is $91,202 annually. However, the average net price students actually pay is $28,719 after accounting for financial aid and scholarships.
Wake Forest enrolls 10.1% Pell grant recipients, demonstrating commitment to supporting low-income students. The average net price of $28,719 reflects substantial aid packages for eligible students.
Wake Forest has a graduation rate of 90.0%, indicating strong student completion and success. This high rate reflects institutional support and student engagement throughout their studies.
Graduates earn a median of $67,722 six years after entry and $78,158 ten years after entry. These figures reflect career progression and earning potential for Wake Forest alumni.
The median federal debt at graduation is $21,500, with only 14.0% of students borrowing federal loans. Most students graduate with minimal federal debt obligations.
Wake Forest maintains a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized attention and meaningful classroom interactions for undergraduates throughout their education.
Wake Forest has an undergraduate enrollment of 5,485 students. This size provides a medium-scale community with diverse peer interactions and substantial campus resources.
First-generation students comprise 12.0% of the Wake Forest undergraduate population, representing families with no prior college experience attending the university.
Wake Forest has a three-year federal loan repayment rate of 88.2%, indicating strong graduate employment outcomes and financial stability after completing their degrees.