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 20.8% of roughly 19,600 applicants for its most recent class, where enrolled first-years who submitted scores posted middle-50% SATs of 1420–1490 and ACTs of 32–34. Business and marketing is the single most popular field at about 23% of bachelor's degrees, just ahead of the social sciences, with communication, psychology, and the sciences also among the most conferred. Wake Forest has been test-optional since 2008 and meets essentially all demonstrated financial need, with an average need-based package near $79,381 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 17.36% 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 20.8% of applicants in the most recent cycle — roughly 4,068 offers from about 19,600 applications, with about 1,544 first-years enrolling. The class skews toward the top of the high school cohort: among the 17% of enrolled students who reported class rank, about 61% were in the top tenth and roughly 90% in the top quarter.
What is Wake Forest's acceptance rate?＋
Wake Forest's acceptance rate is about 20.8%, with roughly 4,068 students admitted out of about 19,600 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 1420–1490 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 strong — it sits right at the 75th-percentile SAT for enrolled first-years. The middle 50% scored 1420–1490 on the SAT (32–34 ACT), and about 77% 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 17% who reported a rank, about 61% were in the top tenth and roughly 90% 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 20.8%, 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 $73,170 per year, with the total cost of attendance higher once on-campus housing and food (about $23,430) are added. Roughly 22% of first-year students receive need-based grant or scholarship aid, the average need-based package is near $79,381, and Wake Forest meets essentially all 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 23% of bachelor's degrees, just ahead of the social sciences at roughly 20%. Communication, psychology, parks and recreation, and the biological sciences round out the most-conferred programs, reflecting Wake Forest's strengths across business, the social sciences, and the liberal arts.
Source: Wake Forest University Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-25. Top Major Area is from IPEDS Completions. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Wake Forest. Banner photo by Jijithecat, via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).