Wake Forest University
#1 Best Business Colleges in North Carolina- Graduation Rate
- 90% A
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $78,158 A
- Top 4% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $28,719 F
- 68% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 22% A
- Admits roughly 22% — highly selective
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 16.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.1 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Business Colleges in North Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $16.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,737,991.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 92% more than the national college median.
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A 90% graduation rate — 57% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.4%
- Top 54%
- Patents
- 25
- Linked to graduates
- World Rank
- #90
- Times Higher Education
- Patent Citations
- 302
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 43/100
- Times Higher Education
Why Wake Forest University Matters
Wake Forest University is a private research university in Winston-Salem, NC ranked #90 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by selective admissions, a strong research base, and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 4% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 5,485
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Communications, Psychology
Why students choose Wake Forest University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 22% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1410–1520. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $28,719 a year after grants and scholarships — 68% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $78,158 ten years after enrolling — 92% above the typical college, against $21,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 91% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.76 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of just 22%, Wake Forest University attracts students who are ready to engage deeply in their education. The school is particularly appealing to those interested in fields like Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Communications, and Psychology. Its high graduation rate of 90% reflects a supportive environment where students can thrive academically and socially.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $78,158 within ten years, which is a solid figure that speaks to the value of a Wake Forest degree in the job market. The relatively low percentage of students receiving Pell Grants (10%) suggests that many students come from families that can afford to pay for their education, which can be a factor in post-graduation mobility and success. While we don't have specific mobility rates, the strong earnings potential indicates that graduates generally find good opportunities.
On the financial side, the net price after aid is $28,719, which means students should carefully consider how this fits into their budget. With a median debt of $21,500, students must weigh their loan burden against their future earnings. Those who tend to thrive at Wake Forest are often self-motivated and ready to take advantage of the various academic programs and support systems available.
Rankings
- #1 Best Business Colleges in North Carolina
- #2 Best MBA Programs in North Carolina
- #3 Best Online Colleges in North Carolina
- #3 Best Psychology Colleges in North Carolina
- #3 Best Communications Colleges in North Carolina
- #4 Best Colleges in North Carolina
- #4 Best Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina
- #4 Best Master's Programs in North Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective Wake Forest University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Wake Forest University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Wake Forest University sets a competitive bar: about 22% of applicants get an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,475. The graduation rate is roughly 90%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 22%
- Retention Rate
- 93%
- SAT Average
- 1475
- SAT Range
- 1410–1520
- ACT Range
- 32–34
- Full-Time Faculty
- 76%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $12,666
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.55
- First-Gen Students
- 12%
- Applicants
- 16,857
- Admitted
- 3,602
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Wake Forest University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Wake Forest University is $67,642, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $28,719. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,525 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $67,642
- Out-of-State
- $67,642
- Avg Net Price
- $28,719
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 10%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 14%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $6,525
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $6,331
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $7,647
- Family Income $110K+
- $58,081
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Wake Forest University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Wake Forest University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Wake Forest University earn a median of $78,158, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $67,722
- 8 Years
- $80,513
- 10 Years
- $78,158
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.28x
- Earning > $25K
- 83%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,098)
- 85%
- 100% (1,098)
- 85%
- 100% (1,098)
- 85%
- 100% (1,098)
- 85%
How Wake Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Wake Forest University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Wake Forest University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $28,719/year ($114,876 total). Graduates earn $78,158 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,852,867 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,737,991 (16.1× your investment). The median debt is $21,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 90% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $114,876
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,852,867
- Net Return
- $1,737,991
- ROI Multiple
- 16.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $28,719
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 90%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Wake Forest University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Wake Forest University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.72%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 1.8% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 40.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $191,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.72%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 40.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 1.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $260,181
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Research & Teaching
Data: Times Higher Education World University Rankings
How Research-Intensive Is Wake Forest University? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places Wake Forest University at #90 worldwide, a mark of serious research standing. Its profile spans a research score of 43/100, teaching at 55/100, and citation impact of 79/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
- World Rank
- #90
- Teaching
- 54.6
- Research
- 42.9
- Citations
- 79.2
- International
- 24.4
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Wake Forest University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 25 patents tied to its graduates, and ranks among research universities with a 43/100 research score.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.40%
- Top 54% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 25
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 302
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 43/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 79/100
- Citation impact (THE)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-20,816,000
Top Programs
The fields Wake Forest University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 23% $95,661 early-career
- Social Sciences 21% $66,174 early-career
- Communications 10% $44,852 early-career
- Psychology 9% $35,271 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 7% $37,845 early-career
- Mathematics & Statistics 4% $83,715 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4% $84,379 early-career
- Engineering 3%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Wake Forest University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Wake Forest University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Wake Forest University sets a competitive bar: about 22% of applicants get an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,475. The graduation rate is roughly 90%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Wake Forest University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Wake Forest University is $67,642, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $28,719. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,525 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
Is Wake Forest University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Wake Forest University earn a median of $78,158, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does Wake Forest University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Wake Forest University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.72%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 1.8% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 40.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $191,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Wake Forest University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Wake Forest University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.76, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is Wake Forest University? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places Wake Forest University at #90 worldwide, a mark of serious research standing. Its profile spans a research score of 43/100, teaching at 55/100, and citation impact of 79/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
Compare Wake Forest University
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Wake Forest University.
- University of RichmondUniversity of Richmond, VA · Close peer86% grad $76,178 earn 22% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Colgate UniversityHamilton, NY · Close peer91% grad $85,139 earn 14% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Emory UniversityAtlanta, GA · Close peer91% grad $80,137 earn 11% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL · Close peer84% grad $75,328 earn 19% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of RochesterRochester, NY · Close peer85% grad $79,042 earn 40% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Wesleyan UniversityMiddletown, CT · Close peer92% grad $73,897 earn 16% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Wake Forest University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Wake Forest University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.76, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note