Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private research university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, that pairs a small, liberal-arts-style undergraduate college with the resources of a research institution — a teaching-first ethos captured in its "Pro Humanitate" motto and a 10-to-1 student-faculty ratio. Admission is selective: Wake Forest admitted about 21.7% of more than 18,700 applicants for its most recent class, where enrolled first-years who submitted scores posted middle-50% SATs of 1420–1500 and ACTs of 32–34. Business is the single most popular field at roughly 22% of bachelor's degrees, followed by the social sciences. Wake Forest has been test-optional since 2008 and meets a high share of demonstrated financial need, with an average need-based package near $72,851 for first-year students.
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Wake Forest admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Decision
Wake Forest offers binding Early Decision. Applying early can meaningfully change your odds — but ED commits you to enroll if admitted.
Standardized Tests
Wake Forest is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where Wake Forest's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 18% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Wake Forest does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How Wake Forest weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Wake Forest's Common Data Set.
Private universities charge the same tuition regardless of state residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about Wake Forest admissions
Is it hard to get into Wake Forest?＋
Yes. Wake Forest is selective, admitting about 21.7% of applicants in the most recent cycle — roughly 4,058 offers from more than 18,700 applications, with about 1,466 first-years enrolling. The class skews toward the top of the high school cohort: among the 18% of enrolled students who reported class rank, about 64% were in the top tenth and roughly 92% in the top quarter.
What is Wake Forest's acceptance rate?＋
Wake Forest's acceptance rate is about 21.7%, with roughly 4,058 students admitted out of more than 18,700 applicants in the most recent cycle. Wake Forest also offers binding Early Decision I and II rounds plus a non-binding Early Action plan for first-generation college students.
Do you need to submit the SAT or ACT to apply to Wake Forest?＋
No. Wake Forest has been test-optional since 2008, so you can apply without submitting scores. Among enrolled students who did submit, the middle 50% scored 1420–1500 on the SAT and 32–34 on the ACT, and standardized test scores are only 'considered' in the review rather than a top factor.
Is a 1490 SAT good enough for Wake Forest?＋
A 1490 is competitive — it sits in the upper half of the admitted range, just below the 75th-percentile SAT of 1500. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1420–1500 on the SAT (32–34 ACT), and about 90% of score-submitters posted a 1400 or higher. Because Wake Forest is test-optional, you can also apply without a score at all.
What GPA and class rank do you need for Wake Forest?＋
Wake Forest doesn't publish an average GPA, but admitted students cluster near the top of their class — among the 18% who reported a rank, about 64% were in the top tenth and roughly 92% in the top quarter of their graduating class. Both your academic GPA and the rigor of your course load are weighed as very important factors, alongside class rank.
Does the essay matter at Wake Forest?＋
Yes — a lot. Wake Forest rates the application essay as a very important factor, the same top tier as GPA, class rank, and the rigor of your course load, and well above standardized test scores, which are only considered. With admission near 21.7%, the essays are one of the clearest places to stand out, which is exactly what Esslo helps you do.
How much does Wake Forest cost, and how much financial aid do students get?＋
Tuition and required fees run about $70,332 per year, with the total cost of attendance higher once on-campus housing and food (about $22,104) are added. Roughly 18% of first-year students receive need-based grant or scholarship aid, the average need-based package is near $72,851, and Wake Forest meets about 96% of demonstrated financial need on average.
What are the most popular majors at Wake Forest?＋
Business and marketing is the single most popular field at about 22% of bachelor's degrees, followed by the social sciences at roughly 18%. The biological sciences, communication, psychology, and parks and recreation round out the most-conferred programs, reflecting Wake Forest's strengths across business, the sciences, and the liberal arts.
Source: Wake Forest University Common Data Set 2024-2025. Figures transcribed 2026-06-07. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Wake Forest. Banner photo by Jijithecat, via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).