Campus Identity
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. Belews Lake is about 13 miles from campus. 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.
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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. Belews Lake is about 13 miles from campus. 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.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Campus Lifestyle
Wake Forest University is a 5,000–9,999, urban school with NCAA D1 athletics and a greek life dominant Greek scene. The campus is 77 miles from Appalachian Ski Mtn..
Athletics
NCAA D1
Atlantic Coast
Greek Life
Greek Life Dominant
28% frats · 65% sororities
School Size & Setting
5,000–9,999
Urban setting
Weather
Warm Climate
54°F avg school-year
Nearby Ski Resorts
Wake Forest University students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Appalachian Ski Mtn., 77 miles away with 6 lifts and 27 skiable acres. All are within 89 miles of campus.
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
Nearby Lake
Belews Lake is 13 miles from campus, giving Wake Forest University students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.
Belews Lake
Lake access within 13.2 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem has a mild climate, with winters averaging 40°F in Jan and summers peaking around 79°F in Jul.
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
Wake Forest University in NC earns a composite safety score of 36/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.
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
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $67,642 |
| Fees | $1,062 |
| Room & Board | $21,312 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $90,016 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
98 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
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 2024-25 academic year, Wake Forest University charges $67,642/year in tuition. Including room and board ($21,312/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $59,770/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $28,719/year — what students actually pay. 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), avg net price ($28,719/year after aid), campus culture in Winston-Salem, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Wake Forest University against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Wake Forest University directly for the most current information.
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