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Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC·Private·www.wfu.edu/

Campus Identity

NCAA D1Greek LifePhD Programs

Wake Forest University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Winston-Salem, NC. Approximately 5,485 students are enrolled. Admissions are selective with a 22% acceptance rate. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 36/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Wake Forest University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Winston-Salem, NC. Approximately 5,485 students are enrolled. Admissions are selective with a 22% acceptance rate. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 36/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

22%
Acceptance Rate
18,727 applications
33
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 32–34
$58,708
In-State Tuition
+$1,062 fees
$58,708
Out-of-State Tuition
+$1,062 fees
$21,312
Room & Board
5,485
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
36%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
89%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity22% · Selective
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

700730750

SAT Math

710740770

Campus Lifestyle

Athletics

NCAA D1

Atlantic Coast

Greek Life

Active Greek System

28% frats · 65% sororities

School Size & Setting

5,000–9,999

Urban setting

Beach Access

186 miles

Myrtle Beach, SC

Ski Access

77 miles

Appalachian Ski Mtn.

Weather

Warm Climate

54°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Appalachian Ski Mtn.

North Carolina

77 mi away
27 skiable acres6 lifts
Hawksnest Snow Tubing

North Carolina

86 mi away
Sugar Mountain Resort

North Carolina

89 mi away
125 skiable acres8 lifts

Nearest Beach

Myrtle Beach, SC

Ocean access within 186.1 miles

186 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Winston-Salem, NC

40°Jan43°Feb50°Mar59°Apr68°May75°Jun79°Jul77°Aug71°Sep60°Oct50°Nov43°Dec

Station: WINSTON SALEM REYNOLDS Airport · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

36/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety383633
38/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
36/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
33/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$58,708
Fees
$1,062
Room & Board
$21,312
Total
$81,082
App Fee: $85

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

98 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Business Administration, Management and OperationsMaster's
382 grads/yr$135,677
Management Sciences and Quantitative MethodsMaster's
276 grads/yr$127,072
Finance and Financial Management ServicesBachelor's
156 grads/yr$145,996
MedicineProfessional
141 grads/yr$119,030
Communication and Media StudiesBachelor's
124 grads/yr$77,984

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Master's24 grads$221,028
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
Bachelor's27 grads$146,608
Finance and Financial Management Services
Bachelor's156 grads$145,996
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Master's382 grads$135,677
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
Master's84 grads$127,297
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
Master's276 grads$127,072
Medicine
Professional141 grads$119,030
Business/Commerce, General
Bachelor's120 grads$118,167
Accounting and Related Services
Master's grads$116,679
Computer Science
Bachelor's67 grads$115,493

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Wake Forest University located?

Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC. The main campus address is 1834 Wake Forest Road, Winston-Salem, NC. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Wake Forest University?

Wake Forest University has an acceptance rate of 22%, making it highly selective. Out of 18,727 applicants, 4,058 were admitted in the most recent year. 5,485 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Wake Forest University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Wake Forest University scored between 32 and 34 on the ACT, with a median of 33. About 26% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Wake Forest University?

For the 2023–24 academic year, Wake Forest University charges $58,708/year in tuition. Including room and board ($21,312/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $59,770/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use Wake Forest University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Wake Forest University?

The undergraduate application fee at Wake Forest University is $85. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does Wake Forest University have college sports?

Yes — Wake Forest University competes at the NCAA D1 level in the Atlantic Coast. As a Division I program, they compete at the highest level of college athletics, which often includes scholarships and nationally broadcast games.

Is Wake Forest University the right fit for me?

Whether Wake Forest University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (22% admit rate), cost ($58,708/year out-of-state), campus culture in Winston-Salem, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Wake Forest University against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Wake Forest University directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Winston-Salem, NC
Size
5,000–9,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
NCAA
NCAA D1
Conference
Atlantic Coast
School Year Weather
Warm · 54°F avg
App Fee
$85
On Campus Safety Score
36/100
Nearest Airport
Winston Salem, NC (INT) · 3 mialso GSO (19 mi), USA (57 mi)

Location

Winston-Salem, NC

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.