Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Wake Forest University at a Glance
Wake Forest University is a private research university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Baptist Christians in 1834, the institution received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, has been located north of downtown Winston-Salem since the university moved there in 1956. Wake Forest also maintains other academic campuses or facilities in Charlotte, North Carolina; Washing…
1834
192 years old
$2.1B
$2.15 billion ( FY 2025)
9,121
5,471 undergrad · 3,650 grad
6,667
17%
340 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Wake Forest University
Official admissions pageJanuary 1
November 15 (Early Decision I)
$85
Interview
Is Wake Forest University Worth It?
Wake Forest University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $28,719/year, it's priced 41% above average, while graduates go on to earn $78,158 — 45% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 90% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Admission is competitive with a 22% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
How Wake Forest University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #5 of 15 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Washington University in St Louis | 93 | $21,786 | $86,182 |
| #2 | Wellesley College | 76 | $25,496 | $84,803 |
| #3 | Colgate University | 67 | $28,786 | $85,139 |
| #4 | Trinity University | 63 | $23,464 | $71,668 |
| #5 | Wake Forest University | 61 | $28,719 | $78,158 |
| #6 | Lafayette College | 58 | $34,433 | $91,410 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Wake Forest University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Wake Forest University
The highest-earning program at Wake Forest University is Finance and Financial Management Services at $71,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $26,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Finance and Financial Management Services graduate from Wake Forest University earns $71,900, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $26,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Finance and Financial Management Services graduates carry $18,250 in median debt vs. $19,000 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $28,719/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $71,900 | $71,900 | $18,250 |
| Computer Science | $69,900 | $69,900 | $18,115 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $60,100 | $60,100 | $19,000 |
| Economics | $51,700 | $51,700 | $18,220 |
| Political Science and Government | $42,900 | $42,900 | $19,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,700 | $37,700 | $19,722 |
| Sociology | $36,700 | $36,700 | $23,000 |
| Biology, General | $34,700 | $34,700 | $17,500 |
| History | $33,800 | $33,800 | $19,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $33,500 | $33,500 | $19,528 |
| Psychology, General | $32,600 | $32,600 | $21,307 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,300 | $26,300 | $19,000 |
Similar Colleges in NC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Winston-Salem, NC
- Student Body
- 5,485 students
- Admission Rate
- 22%
- Graduation Rate
- 90%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $28,719
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $78,158
- Median Student Debt
- $21,500