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Wake Forest University

48.5(0)
VerifiedPrivate (Not for Profit)Estd. 1834
Founded
1834
Type
Private (Not for Profit)
University Guide

About Wake Forest University

Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.

Wake Forest University is a private liberal arts university located at Winston-Salem, N.C. It was founded in the year 1834 in Wake Forest, N.C and later shifted to Winston-Salem in 1956. The university is a renowned name in the US Education System that has over 8,000 students studying there hailing from over 49 states and 50 nations across the globe.

Students are provided with an academically diverse environment for better learning opportunities and overall development. Admission at Wake Forest University are provided in variety of courses catering to students from different academic backgrounds including business, law & medicine. It provides various courses across Bachelor's, Master's, Doctor’s-research/scholarship and Doctor’s-professional practice level through its 6 colleges and schools.

Wake Forest is ranked 27th among national universities by U.S. News. The university ensures personalized education for all in a close-knit atmosphere with its student-faculty ratio of 10 to 1. With an acceptance rate of nearly 29%, the instute is a highly selective university for aspirants seeking to study in the USA

Wake forest university campus

Wake Forest University Rankings

Wake Forest University is ranked at the top by some of the most influential sites and educational ranking agencies including the QS/Top Universities and Times Higher Education. A glance at recent ranking of Wake Forest University are:

Ranking Agency/Publication
#380 in world University Rankings QS/Top Universities
#251-300 in World University Ranking Times Higher Education
#64 in US College Rankings Times Higher Education 
#28 in National Universities US News 
#24 in Best values School US News 
#357 in Top Performers in Social Mobility US News
#44 in Best Undergraduate Teaching US News
#79 in National University Ranking CWUR 
#222 in World University Ranking CWUR
#6 in Best College for Communication in America Niche
#18 in Best College for Accounting and Finance in America Niche

Highlights

Type of University Private
Year of Establishment 1834
Campus Setting Suburban
No. of Colleges and schools 6
Location Winston-Salem, N.C
No. of Areas of Programs 40
Cost of Attendance 77342 USD
Student-to-Faculty ratio 11:1
Contact Wake Forest University, 1834 Wake Forest Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27109
Applications Accepted Online
Official Website https://www.wfu.edu/

Wake Forest University Campus

  • Wake Forest University campus is located in Winston-Salem, N.C and is spread over 340 acres.
  • The institute offers a number of student services, including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, health service, health insurance. 
  • It also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc.)
  • The University offers ComputerResources for students' usage in residence halls, computer centers/labs and also in the library. 
  • Wake Forest University provides Services for Learning Disabled (LD) Students such as Learning center, Tutors and Extended time for tests.

Residence and Housing Facilities

  • The institute provides accommodation to its students in the form of residence halls and apartments.
  • There are a number of on-campus accommodation options with different types of configurations and construction, which ranges from a normal residence hall room with a community bathroom, to suites and apartments having private or limited access bathrooms and kitchens and also different types of HVAC.
  • The University has various accommodation for the students as listed below:
    • Deacon Place (Single rooms): 5,749 USD per Semester
    • Single rooms and apartment rooms: 5,694 USD per Semester
    • Double rooms: 4,780 USD per Semester
    • Triple rooms: 4,247 USD per Semester
  • Alternatively, students can look for off-campus accommodation options with similar amenities that too at a lower expense.
  • The University in support of students with disabilities, the Office of Residence Life and Housing has a wide variety of housing and dining options on campus which can accommodate the vast majority of disability needs.
  • All resident students are required to sign-up for a meal plan. Meal options can be availed from Fresh Food Company, the Magnolia Room, or the Hilltop Market where one can find a wide selection of delicious dishes and fresh ingredients.

Wake Forest University Courses

  • The university offers range of courses for international students including 45 majors and 60 minors in over 40 different Undergraduate and Graduate departments.
  • There are six schools which are the Undergraduate School, Graduate School, School of Business, School of Divinity, School of Law and School of Medicine.
  • The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) coordinates the research activities in the University.
  • Some popular majors among international students are: Social Sciences; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; and Psychology. 
  • Wake Forest University from its Schools of Business provides an online MBA for working professionals. The course program requires completion of the GMAT (General Management Aptitude Test). The Schools of Business will also accept the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) as a replacement for the GMAT for admissions.
  • The office of Continuing Education provides continuous learning experience in liberal arts, divinity and even MBA intellectual and personal growth, for the development of the perspectives and skills for leadership useful at the workplace. 
  • The University also offers The Lifelong Learning program and short personal enrichment courses taught by Wake Forest University faculty and community experts.

Wake Forest University Application Process

Students seeking admission at the university must know the following points prior to making an application.

How to apply?

  • International students need to apply through a separate online application portal.
  • There is an application fee of 65 USD.
  • Students need to submit certified high-school or college transcripts.
  • If the documents are not in English, translated copies are required along with the original documents.
  • The applicant needs to have a qualifying score in TOEFL or IELTS if their first language is not English as a proof of English Proficiency. The scores need to be sent to Wake Forest University directly from the testing institution.
  • Submission of SAT and ACT scores are not compulsory. If they are submitted, they are to be sent directly to the Wake Forest University from the testing institution.
    • ACT School Code: 3168
    • SAT School Code: 5885
  • However, graduate programs may require GRE scores or GMAT scores as per the program requirement.
  • The applicant should have a Confidential Financial Information for International Applicants Form with supporting documents like bank statements, tax forms, etc.
  • Letters of recommendations, Personal statements, Resume/CV(where specified), Portfolios, Interview, Work experience are some of the requirements for graduate students.
  • Once admitted, the students will be issued an I-20 form for VISA.

Application Deadlines

Deadlines are given as follows: Fall Semester: January 1, Spring Semester: November 1.

Wake Forest University Cost of Attendance

The distribution of expenses in the form of an estimated budget for international students looking to study in the US is as mentioned below.

Types of Expenses Cost (USD)
Tuition Fee 57,760 USD
Housing 9,848 USD
Meal Plan 5,672 USD
Books, supplies 1,500 USD
Transportation 948 USD
Personal Expenses 1,550 USD

Scholarships/Financial Aid

  • Wake Forest University does not provide any specific scholarships for international students to study in the USA.
  • The full-cost scholarship for international students include Carswell scholarship, Gordon scholarship, Reynoldsscholarship, and Stamps Scholarships and candidates are not required to submit any separate form besides the general application form.
  • Candidates are awarded this scholarship purely on merit basis and is extremely selective with its recipients.
  • Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to determine their eligibility for Federal financial aid that includes Federal grant, loan, or work-study assistance.
  • International students can also avail loan opportunities and visit, https://www.internationalstudent.com/scholarships/ for more detailed information.

Alumni Network

  • Alumni of Wake Forest University are entitled to avail benefits like connections with uncountable alumni members and professional networking opportunities.
  • The Office of Alumni Engagement’s mission is to find exciting new ways to connect Wake Forest alumni, friends and family
  • Some of the notable alumni are Richard Burr (1978), Tim Duncan (1997), Charlie Ergen MBA (1976) and Arnold Palmer (1951).

Wake Forest University Placements

  • In addition to offering top-notch education, the university also focuses on the after-life/career of its students.
  • The office of personal and career development has expertise and guidance to walk students through this and provide mentoring for their career development.
  • The office organizes weekday workshops to teach the basics including, resume writing, mock interviews, job searching and hiring.
  • Along with this, they also has recruiting platforms and networking bases to help students build their connection and know their worth in terms of financial statement.
  • A glance at Wake Forest University graduates and alumni working as professional in various sectors (as per emolument.com)

Job Position Average Salary
Financial Services $113,000
Consulting, Accounting and professional Services $98,000
Finance Control and Strategy $95,000
Executive Management and Change $78,000

  • A glance at Wake Forest University graduates getting salary/year depending on their degree and qualification (as per emolument.com):
Degree/Qualification Average Salary
MBA $141,000
Bachelor of Science $101,000
Bachelor of Arts $97,000
Masters (other) $90,000
Masters in Science $86,000
Masters of Arts $75,000

The highest paying degree at Wake Forest University is MBA worth annual average salary of $141,000 and the minimum wage worth degree is Masters of arts availing $75,000, whereas looking at the employment sector, financial services benefits at average annual salary of $113,000 and lowest is executive management of $78,000.

FAQs

Ques. What are the popular programs at Wake Forest University?

Ans. The most popular majors at Wake Forest University include social sciences, business, management, marketing, and related support services, communication, journalism, and related programs; psychology, and biological and biomedical sciences.

Ques. Is it hard to get into Wake Forest University?

Ans. With the acceptance rate of 30%, Wake Forest University is extremely selective with its applicants and demands full GPA of 4.0 along with outstanding curriculum profile from applicants getting admission at Wake Forest University.

Ques. What is the application fee for programs at Wake Forest University?

Ans. Application fee varies for programs at Wake Forest University is $65.

Ques. Can I get application fee waiver on application fee at Wake Forest University?

Ans. Although the application fee is non-refundable, application fee waiver are granted to eligible candidates on terms and condition.

Ques. Do I need to submit SAT/ACT scores while applying for admissions at Wake Forest University?

Ans. Yes, SAT/ACT scores are not mandatory while applying for admissions at Wake Forest University.

Ques. Do I need to submit English Proficiency Test Scores while applying for admissions at Wake Forest University?

Ans. Yes, English Proficiency Test Scores are mandatory for international applicants while applying for admissions at Wake Forest University.

Ques. Does Wake Forest University offer scholarships and bursaries to international applicants?

Ans. Wake Forest University does not offer any need-based aid to foreign students however, the university has range of merit-based scholarship and other opportunities designed to help foreign-national students fund their education at affordable price.

Ques. Can I apply for multiple programs at Wake Forest University?

Ans. Wake Forest University does offers dual and joint degrees and applicants can enroll for more than one programs also.

Ques. Are recommendation letters and references compulsory for application at Wake Forest University?

Ans. Yes, it is essential for applicants to submit references/referee/letters of recommendation in application at Wake Forest University.

Ques. Do any programs have upper age limit?

Ans. No, Wake Forest University does not have upper-age limit for any programs.

Courses & Fees

Compare courses in a cleaner, easier way

Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.

Courses

42

Fee from

₹63,81,633.54

Exams

TOEFL · IELTS

Showing 5 of 22 bachelors

Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration4 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish
Fees
Tuition FeeINR 60.6 L/Yr
Native FeeUSD 64,758 /Yr
Fee trendTuition progression
Official Program Page
Admission Guide

Admission Process

Admissions at Wake Forest University are competitive. Around 12,558 applications were received by the University, out of which only 1,371 students were enrolled. Thus, the rate of acceptance of Wake Forest University was about 29.6%. It ranks amongst the top universities in USA and is popular for their programs in Economics, Communications, Psychology, Political Science and Government, Finance, Business/Commerce, Biology/ Biological Science, Kinesiology and exercise Science, Sociology, History, Accounting, Philosophy, French Studies, Physics.

Wake Forest University has six schools dedicated to different areas of study. Many factors affect admissions at WFU, including:

  • High school curriculum and classroom performance
  • Student’s writing ability
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Evidence of extraordinary character and talent
  • Research experience, work experience, and any publications if applying for graduate programs
  • Students have the option of choosing from over 40 Bachelor courses and 30 Masters programs.

Points to keep in mind while applying to WFU -

  • International applicants may apply Early Decision or Regular Decision. Early Decision is a binding agreement to enroll if admitted.
  • The university accepts applications in Fall and Spring The University doesn’t offer need-based scholarships to international students The University has four options of applications for students aspiring to study in USA.
  • Interviews are not required but are strongly encouraged, especially for early decision applicants and students interested in being considered for merit scholarships.
  • The applicant should schedule the interview as soon as possible. The interview can be conducted on campus or online via Skype.
  • The university is test-optional i.e, they don't depend on SAT and ACT scores for admitting students.
  • Applicants should only submit SAT or ACT scores if they want them to be considered for Admission Students who apply by December 1st automatically get considered for merit-based scholarships in USA.

Highlights

Application Form By mail or online: Common application, Coalition application/The college foundation of North Carolina application
PG – Varies
Application Fee UG: 65 USD
PG: 80 USD
Test scores UG: Optional ACT/SAT
PG: GRE, GMAT
Acceptance rate 29.6%
Graduation rate 84%
Financial Aid for International Students Merit-based available
Admission contact details for International students Email - [email protected]
Phone no.- 336.758.5201

Wake Forest University Deadlines

The Deadline for most of the Graduate programs is January 15th. However, for some programs, the dates may vary.

Undergraduate
Early decision deadline November 15
Merit-based scholarship consideration December 1
Early Decision II and Regular Decision deadline January 1

Wake Forest has different deadlines for some graduate programs, whereas some programs accept applications throughout the year.

Wake Forest University International Admissions

The international application process for Wake Forest University is very similar to the domestic one, except for a few additions. These are the general requirements:

  • Official transcripts(high school or college, depending on the program)
  • English language minimum requirements
  • Test scores of various standardized tests(optional for UG).
  • Recommendations(as specified).
  • Completed Confidential Financial Information for International Applicants Form

International applicants apply using the same application as all other students. WFU does not require applicants to submit an SAT/ACT score in the admissions application. If submitting scores, score reports must be sent directly from the testing organizations.

English Language requirements

All international applicants who did not have English as their teaching medium or as their native language are required to provide proof of English proficiency. Wake Forest University has the following minimum score requirements for English efficiency:

English Proficiency Test Minimum Score
TOEFL PBT 550
TOEFL CBT 213
TOEFL iBT 79
IELTS 6.5

The official score reports should be sent directly from the testing agency. Some programs may require a higher testing score.

Wake Forest University Visa Requirements

All international applicants who are offered a place at Wake Forest University require an F-1 or J-1 student visa. Admitted students will receive their I-20 form once the admission deposit has been paid. This will require the Confidential Financial Information for International Applicants Form, which needs to be submitted while applying for admission.

The international applicants have to fill the Confidential Financial Information Form. The applicants will need to attach tax forms, statements from employers, bank statements, or any other documentation that will be sent to verify the family’s assets of the applicants. The application will not be evaluated until the university receives this official document.

Financial support – The university does not offer any need-based financial aid to foreign national students.

International students are eligible for most merit-based scholarships. The regular application also works as a scholarship application, so there is no separate form to complete. There are four major scholarships at WFU and are highly selective. International students are also encouraged to seek monetary help through external sources of funding available in the US.

Wake Forest University Undergraduate Admissions

Wake Forest University offers a number of undergraduate programs across more than 20 academic departments and 16 interdisciplinary programs.

Application Portal – Common Application/ Coalition Application

Application Fee – 65 USD

Academic requirements

  • All international applicants must provide the following to proceed with their application process:
  • Completed application form
  • Wake Forest supplemental questions (CommonApp or Coalition)
  • Official transcripts(secondary school and high school)
  • 1 recommendation from the teacher
  • Mid-year report
  • Official TOEFL/ IELTS scores
  • Confidential financial information

ACT/SAT – Only required when an applicant wants those scores to be considered in the admissions application.

An interview is not mandatory but it is always recommended to get admission. 

Wake Forest University Graduate Admissions

Wake Forest University provides a range of study areas and has also developed new interdisciplinary graduate programs, attracting a lot of international students to its programs.

It offers around 61 graduate programs- including masters, doctoral and post-bachelors at its two campuses. Requirements vary from program to program, but the general requirements for all programs are listed below:

Application Portal: Wake Forest University Graduate Application

Application Fee: 80 USD

Academic documents -

  • Transcripts(relevant bachelor’s degree from an accredited institute)
  • English language proficiency test scores
  • Different standardized test scores
  • Letters of recommendations
  • Personal statements
  • Resume/CV(where specified)
  • Portfolios (where specified)
  • Interview (where specified)
  • Work experience (where specified)

GRE, Official scores will only be required if an offer of admission has been made and accepted by the student. Applicants will receive an email confirmation after submission of the application.

Popular Graduate Programs at Wake Forest University

While applying applicants should properly check the deadlines and read all instructions carefully before submitting the application. Following are some top preferred graduate programs by international applicants, along with their deadlines and application requirements.

Course Application Portal Application Deadline Application Fee Academic Requirements Minimum English Language Proficiency
MBA (Evening Program) WFU School of Business August 1 100 USD GMAT/GRE, Resume/CV, Unofficial transcripts, 2 LORs, Interview(if selected), 3 Years work experience and full-time employment TOEFL - 100(IBT); IELTS - 7
MS in Chemistry Graduate school of arts and sciences Fall - January 1;
Spring - November 1
80 USD GRE, Transcripts, three letters of recommendation TOEFL (PBT) - 550; TOEFL(iBT) - 79-80; IELTS - 6.5
MA in Psychology Graduate School of arts and sciences January 15 80 USD Writing sample, Statement of purpose, Three academic letters of recommendation TOEFL (PBT) - 550; TOEFL (iBT) - 79-80; IELTS - 6.5
Liberal art studies Reynolda Campus Program application Rolling basis 80 USD GRE (optional), Personal statement, Transcripts, 3 LORs, Writing sample TOEFL (PBT) - 550; TOEFL (iBT) - 79-80; IELTS - 6.5
Computer Science WFU Graduate School Fall - January 15;
Spring - September 30
80 USD GRE, transcripts TOEFL(iBT) - 550; TOEFL(PBT) - 79-80; IELTS - 6.5

Admission notification usually starts from early February and continues upto mid-May. Applicants are recommended to track their application status by keeping in touch with their program facilitators/directors throughout their admission process.

FAQs

Ques. Can I track my application status?

Ans. Yes, applicants can track the status of their application by logging into their online account they created while applying for the program. They can access the information in the 'Application Details' panel.

Ques. What are the supplemental material and how can I submit them?

Ans. All materials like personal statements, resume/ CV, test reports, unofficial transcripts are listed under supplementary materials. These can be uploaded as attachments while applying and need to be attached before submission.

Ques. I am interested in more than one program. Can I apply for multiple graduate programs?

Ans. Yes, interested candidates are allowed to apply to more than one programs at Wake Forest University. The Graduate School allows this but separate application and application fee is required for each program.

Ques. I have applied for a graduate program, when can I expect an admission decision?

Ans. Most Graduate academic programs start notifying the candidates from early February and continue through middle of May. However, it is advised that applicants stay in touch with their respective program directors throughout the application process. Other than this, application status can also be monitored online by logging into your account.

Ques. How long does it take for the I-20 form to reach an overseas applicant?

Ans. Delivery time can not be certain as the location and type of service varies. At Least two weeks should be allowed to reach the packet of documents to the student. Students are encouraged to contact their delivery service in order to track their shipment.

Placements & Recruiters

Wake Forest University Placement Details

Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.

Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States.

Recruiters
N/A
Salary Metrics
0/2
Placement Metric

Highest Package

N/A

Represents the top salary package reported in the available placement information.

Placement Metric

Average Package

N/A

Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.

Placement information is currently limited.

More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.

Rankings over the years

Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.

2022

Highlights
2022
  • Best overall country rank: #44
  • Public Policy: #25 in country
  • Top source: ARWU
  • 22 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Engineering
  • 5 ranking records in 2022

2023

Highlights
2023
  • Best overall country rank: #58
  • Medicine: #27 in country
  • Top source: US News
  • 23 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Medicine
  • 3 ranking records in 2023

2024

Highlights
2024
  • Best overall country rank: #26
  • Medicine: #20 in country
  • Top source: US News
  • 10 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Biology
  • 3 ranking records in 2024

2025

Highlights
2025
  • Best overall country rank: #54
  • Chemistry: #25 in country
  • Top source: US News
  • 11 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Biology
  • 4 ranking records in 2025

2026

Highlights
2026
  • Best overall country rank: #56
  • Overall: #56 in country
  • Top source: THE
  • 5 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Engineering
  • 3 ranking records in 2026

Contact Information

1834 Wake Forest Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27109

+1-336-758-5000

Student Reviews & Ratings

Overall sentiment and category-wise rating summary

Overall score

48.6/10
Top Rated

Based on 0 ratings