About Wake Forest University
Wake Forest operates with the motto "Pro Humanitate" and builds future leaders through intensive academics and tight-knit community bonds. The 5,471 students learn from professors who know their names, with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio ensuring personal attention. Notable graduates include NBA legend Tim Duncan and golf icon Arnold Palmer. The Winston-Salem campus sits in North Carolina's fourth-largest city, blending Southern charm with urban opportunities.
Students pay an average net price of $28,746 after financial aid, though this varies dramatically by family income. Families earning under $30,000 pay just $11,554, while those making over $110,000 face $54,447 annually. Graduates typically earn $78,158 ten years after graduation, making the median debt load of $21,500 manageable with monthly payments of $228. The 95.2% employment rate suggests strong career prospects.
Wake Forest's Demon Deacons compete in the ACC with 430 student-athletes across 14 sports. The school awards over $21 million in athletic scholarships annually. Students come primarily from out-of-state, with only 16.53% from North Carolina. The 94.67% retention rate reflects student satisfaction, while the 90.90% six-year graduation rate demonstrates academic rigor paired with strong support systems.
Students pay an average net price of $28,746 after financial aid, though this varies dramatically by family income. Families earning under $30,000 pay just $11,554, while those making over $110,000 face $54,447 annually. Graduates typically earn $78,158 ten years after graduation, making the median debt load of $21,500 manageable with monthly payments of $228. The 95.2% employment rate suggests strong career prospects.
Wake Forest's Demon Deacons compete in the ACC with 430 student-athletes across 14 sports. The school awards over $21 million in athletic scholarships annually. Students come primarily from out-of-state, with only 16.53% from North Carolina. The 94.67% retention rate reflects student satisfaction, while the 90.90% six-year graduation rate demonstrates academic rigor paired with strong support systems.
Academics & Faculty
Wake Forest operates as a private research university that feels more like a liberal arts college due to its intimate academic environment. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio ensures professors know students personally and can provide individual mentorship. This close attention shows in the numbers: 90.9% of students graduate within six years, well above the national average. The university is particularly well-known for its business school, which consistently ranks among the top programs nationally. Pre-med students benefit from high medical school acceptance rates, while the communications program attracts future journalists and media professionals. With only 5,471 students total, Wake Forest combines rigorous academics with the personal attention typically found at much smaller institutions.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 75.6%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 90.3%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 90.9%
- Retention Rate
- 94.7%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $78,158
- Carnegie Classification
- Doctoral University (R2)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $96,587 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $80,510 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $76,836 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $71,015 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $70,456 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $66,653 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $65,145 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Bachelor | $63,005 |
| Law. | Doctoral | $60,811 |
| Medicine. | Doctoral | $57,411 |
Campus Life
Wake Forest's 340-acre campus sits in Winston-Salem, North Carolina's fourth-largest city with a population around 250,000. You'll need both a winter coat and sunscreen here, as temperatures range from the 30s in January to the 90s in July. The university houses 75% of its 5,471 students on campus, creating a tight-knit residential community where the 9:1 student-faculty ratio translates into genuine mentorship relationships.
The Demon Deacons take their "Work Forest" nickname seriously during the week, but weekends revolve around ACC athletics and the famous Screamin' Demons student section. Students gather on the Quad for everything from impromptu frisbee games to formal events tied to the school's "Pro Humanitate" motto. Greek life influences the social scene , though the small size means everyone mingles across different groups. Winston-Salem offers internships at companies like Reynolds American and Krispy Kreme, while Charlotte sits 90 minutes away for bigger city experiences. The 94.67% retention rate reflects how students bond with this close-knit academic community.
The Demon Deacons take their "Work Forest" nickname seriously during the week, but weekends revolve around ACC athletics and the famous Screamin' Demons student section. Students gather on the Quad for everything from impromptu frisbee games to formal events tied to the school's "Pro Humanitate" motto. Greek life influences the social scene , though the small size means everyone mingles across different groups. Winston-Salem offers internships at companies like Reynolds American and Krispy Kreme, while Charlotte sits 90 minutes away for bigger city experiences. The 94.67% retention rate reflects how students bond with this close-knit academic community.
- Setting
- City-Large
- Housing Capacity
- 4,104 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1834
Campus Safety (2023)
219 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Violence | 2 | 0 | 52 | 0 |
| Stalking | 16 | 9 | 18 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 28 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Burglary | 8 | 3 | 11 | 0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 2 | 1 | 11 | 6 |
| Rape | 6 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 6 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Fondling | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Robbery | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 30°–48°F
- July Avg
- 69°–88°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 43.2"
- Annual Snowfall
- 6.2"
Student Demographics
Wake Forest draws ambitious students from across the country, with over 80% coming from out-of-state. The student body skews affluent, as only 9.5% receive Pell Grants. Women slightly outnumber men, reflecting strong liberal arts and business programs. The demographic mix creates a competitive but collaborative environment where networking starts early. Students typically come from suburban and private school backgrounds, bringing high academic credentials to match the 21% acceptance rate. The "Pro Humanitate" motto attracts service-minded achievers who balance rigorous academics with Division I athletics and Greek life traditions.
- Men
- 44.6%
- Women
- 55.4%
- White
- 64.3%
- Black
- 6.6%
- Hispanic
- 9.6%
- Asian
- 5.3%
- In-State Students
- 16.5%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 9.5%
Location
Wake Forest sits in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, about 100 miles from Charlotte and 80 miles from Raleigh. The city houses 249,000 residents and serves as the headquarters for major corporations like Reynolds Tobacco and Krispy Kreme. Winston-Salem blends college town energy with urban amenities, earning its nickname as the "City of Arts and Innovation" for its thriving cultural scene. The area sits in the rolling Piedmont region, offering mild winters and access to both the Blue Ridge Mountains and Atlantic coast within a few hours' drive. Over 83% of Wake Forest students come from out of state, drawn to this mid-sized Southern city. Students considering colleges in North Carolina may also compare Wake Forest with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27106
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $78,158
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $86,157
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $62,900
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 88.2%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $228/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $21,500
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Wake Forest University?
Wake Forest accepts 21.37% of applicants, making it highly selective among private research universities. The school attracts top students who appreciate its Pro Humanitate motto and strong emphasis on character development alongside academic excellence.
How much does Wake Forest University cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $28,746, though this varies dramatically by family income with the lowest earners paying just $6,043. Wake Forest meets demonstrated need for most students, though only 9.49% receive Pell Grants, reflecting its wealthy student body.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Wake Forest University?
Wake Forest maintains a 9:1 student-faculty ratio with just 5,471 total students. This intimate setting allows professors to know students personally and creates the close-knit community the school is famous for.
What are job prospects like for Wake Forest University graduates?
Graduates earn a median salary of $78,158 ten years after graduation with a 95.2% employment rate. The powerful Demon Deacon alumni network, including NBA stars Tim Duncan and Chris Paul, opens doors across business and professional fields.
Where do most Wake Forest University students come from?
Only 16.53% of students are from North Carolina, with the majority coming from out of state. The student body is 64.27% white and heavily draws from affluent families who can afford the $84,236 total cost of attendance.
How successful are Wake Forest University's athletic programs?
The Demon Deacons compete in the ACC with 14 varsity sports and award over $21 million in athletic scholarships. Wake Forest has produced legendary athletes like Arnold Palmer and maintains a fierce rivalry with nearby Duke University.
