What makes Wake Forest different
- The ACC's smallest university. About 5,500 undergraduates, with 10 students for every faculty member.
- Test-optional since 2008. Wake Forest made the SAT and ACT optional in 2008, earlier than most universities.
- Rolling the Quad. Students cover the main quad in toilet paper to celebrate big wins.
What Wake Forest students study
The most common bachelor's degrees (class of 2024): finance (133), political science (124), psychology (123), communication (119), economics (112) and business (106). Source: IPEDS Completions, first majors only.
You may thrive at Wake Forest if…
- You want small classes and close faculty relationships with big-conference athletics.
- You're interested in finance, political science, psychology or communication.
- You'd enjoy a close-knit community.
Worth asking about
- How does the test-optional policy work in practice?
- What aid is available, and how is it awarded?
How Wake Forest compares with the other ACC schools
Wake Forest is the ACC's smallest university. See how the 18 ACC schools differ.
FAQ
What is Wake Forest's acceptance rate? 21.7% for fall 2024.
What is Wake Forest known for? Small classes, its test-optional history and its traditions.
How much does Wake Forest cost? Published tuition and fees are $67,642 a year, before any aid; the total cost of attendance is $87,499.
How much is Wake Forest tuition per semester? About $33,821 a semester, half the published $67,642 a year, before aid.
Is Wake Forest an R1 university? No. In the 2025 Carnegie Classifications, Wake Forest University is an R2 university, with high research activity. What R1 means →
How many students go to Wake Forest? About 5,500 undergraduates (fall 2024).
Wondering if a smaller university fits you?
Lens's College Ideas suggest which kinds of colleges may suit you. Start with Lens →