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Wake Forest University Majors Overview: Salary, Courses & Career Outcomes

Every major at Wake Forest University with graduate salary, course catalog depth, and career preparation data.

#	Major	US Rank	Wake Forest University Salary	National Median	Premium	Degrees/Year	Courses
1	Computer Science	—	$93,750	$75,000	+25%	51	40
Featured Courses: CSC 101: Overview of Computer Science CSC 102: Problem Solving with Python CSC 165: Problem Solving Seminar CSC 191: Special Topics CSC 192: STEM Incubator
2	Engineering	—	$90,000	$72,000	+25%	36	61
Featured Courses: EGR 100: Basics of Prototyping with Hand and Power Tools EGR 101: Basics of 3D Prototyping EGR 113: Integrated Sciences EGR 211: Materials and Mechanics EGR 212: Transport Phenomena
3	Mathematics & Statistics	—	$77,500	$62,000	+25%	39	50
Featured Courses: MTH 105L: Precalculus Assessment Lab MTH 106: Calculus Foundations MTH 107: Explorations in Mathematics MTH 111: Calculus with Analytic Geometry I MTH 112: Calculus with Analytic Geometry II
4	Business	—	$68,750	$55,000	+25%	337	97
Featured Courses: BEM 201: Quantitative Analysis I BEM 202: Quantitative Analysis II BEM 211: Organizational Behavior BEM 241: Productions and Operations Management BEM 251: Management Information Systems
5	Physical Sciences	—	$60,000	$48,000	+25%	27	97
Featured Courses: CHM 108: Everyday Chemistry CHM 108L: Everyday Chemistry Lab CHM 111: College Chemistry I CHM 111L: College Chemistry I Lab CHM 111S: Problem Solving in Chemistry
6	Social Sciences	—	$56,250	$45,000	+25%	228	256
Featured Courses: ANT 115: Language, Culture, and Power: Linguistic Anthropology ANT 305: Museum Anthropology ANT 308: Archaeological Theory and Practice ANT 315: Artifact Analysis and Laboratory Methods in Archaeology ANT 318: Prehistory and Archaeology of Europe
7	Biological Sciences	—	$52,500	$42,000	+25%	133	134
Featured Courses: BMB 301: Special Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology BMB 331: Microbial Physiology BMB 360: Metabolic Diseases BMB 367: Molecular Virology BMB 370: Biochemistry I: Macromolecules and Metabolism
8	Communication & Journalism	—	$50,000	$40,000	+25%	106	118
Featured Courses: COM 102: Debate and Advocacy COM 110: Public Speaking COM 113: Relational Communication COM 215: Broadcast Journalism COM 220: Empirical Research in Communication
9	History	—	$50,000	$40,000	+25%	19	164
Featured Courses: HST 101: Western Civilization to 1700 HST 102: Europe and the World in the Modern Era HST 103: World Civilizations to 1500 HST 104: World Civilizations since 1500 HST 105: Africa in World History
10	Natural Resources & Conservation	—	$50,000	$40,000	+25%	13	35
Featured Courses: ENV 201: Environmental Issues ENV 202: Environmental Solutions ENV 203: Leadership for Sustainability ENV 214: Atlantic History to 1800: Science, Empire, and Environment ENV 215: Atlantic History from 1800: Science, Empire, Environment
11	Philosophy & Religious Studies	—	$47,500	$38,000	+25%	22	169
Featured Courses: PHI 111: Problems of Philosophy PHI 113: Knowledge and Reality PHI 114: Philosophy of Human Nature PHI 116: Meaning and Happiness PHI 164: Contemporary Moral Problems
12	Foreign Languages & Linguistics	—	$47,500	$38,000	+25%	9	243
Featured Courses: ARB 111: Elementary Arabic I ARB 112: Elementary Arabic II ARB 153: Intermediate Arabic I ARB 201: Intermediate Arabic II ARB 218: Standard Arabic Conversation I
13	Education	—	$47,500	$38,000	+25%	8	82
Featured Courses: EDU 101: Issues and Trends in Education EDU 102L: Exploring School Communities EDU 103A: Preparing for Community Engagement EDU 103B: Participating in Community Engagement EDU 111: Special Topics
14	Area/Ethnic/Cultural Studies	—	$47,500	$38,000	+25%	5	138
Featured Courses: AAS 105: Africa in World History AAS 106: Atlantic World since 1500 AAS 130: Black Queer Studies AAS 170: African Diaspora Studies AAS 200: Theories and Methods in African American Studies
15	Psychology	—	$45,000	$36,000	+25%	97	50
Featured Courses: PSY 100: Learning to Learn PSY 210: Methods in Psychological Research for the Minor PSY 211: Research Methods I PSY 211L: Research Methods I Lab PSY 212: Research Methods II
16	English Language & Literature	—	$45,000	$36,000	+25%	32	120
Featured Courses: CRW 285: Poetry Workshop CRW 286: Short Story Workshop CRW 287: Literary Nonfiction Workshop CRW 300: Topics in Creative Writing CRW 384: Playwriting
17	Parks, Recreation & Fitness	—	$43,750	$35,000	+25%	99	2
Featured Courses: SPM 201: Basic Athletic Training SPM 302: Advanced Athletic Training
18	Visual & Performing Arts	—	$42,500	$34,000	+25%	19	290
Featured Courses: ART 101: Engaging with Art ART 103: History of Global Art ART 104: Topics in World Art ART 105: History of Global Architecture ART 106: Global Contemporary Art

Career Path Match at Wake Forest University 🎖️ DeepColleges Exclusive

How many courses at Wake Forest University align with each career direction. More relevant courses mean better preparation for your target career.

Film & Video Production 51

AES 300: American Ethnic Literature and Film ART 114: Introduction to Film and Video Art ART 214: Film and Video Art: Site Specific ART 224: Film and Video Art: Cyberspace ART 228: Film and Video Art: Theatre Works

Sociology & Anthropology 51

AAS 205: Black Cultural Studies ANT 113: Introduction to Biological Anthropology ANT 114: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology ANT 115: Language, Culture, and Power: Linguistic Anthropology ANT 305: Museum Anthropology

Pre-Med / Clinical Medicine 39

ANT 362: Medical Anthropology BMB 301: Special Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology BMB 331: Microbial Physiology BMB 370: Biochemistry I: Macromolecules and Metabolism BMB 371L: Advanced Biochemistry Lab

Journalism & Media 32

AAS 230: Black Expressive Cultures in the Americas AAS 370: Special Topics in Arts, Aesthetics, and Expressive Cultures in African American Studies COM 215: Broadcast Journalism COM 230: Interactive Digital Media COM 245: Introduction to Mass Communication

Management Consulting & Strategy 28

AAS 310: Organic Leadership: Lessons from the Black Freedom Struggle BEM 211: Organizational Behavior BEM 241: Productions and Operations Management BEM 318: Calloway Leadership Experience BEM 322: Global Marketing Strategy

Music Industry & Production 28

ART 127: Introduction to Performance Art BEM 384: Design-Thinking and High-Performance Teams COM 249: Sound Design & Soundtracks COM 325: On Camera Performance DCE 123: Introduction to Dance Composition

Entrepreneurship & Startups 27

BEM 326: Brand Management and New Product Development BEM 377: Entrepreneurship EDU 236: Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurial Thinking in Education ENT 200: Foundations of Entrepreneurship: Identifying and Cultivating Valuable Ideas ENT 201: Evidence-Based Entrepreneurship: Developing Validated Concepts

Education & Teaching 26

CHI 296: Chinese across the Curriculum EDU 204: Integrating Literacy, Technology and the Arts across the Elementary Curriculum EDU 205A: Developing Literacy and Communication Skills in Elementary Schools, K-2 EDU 205B: Developing Literacy and Communication Skills in Elementary Schools, Grades 3-6 EDU 206: Assessment for Positive Student Outcomes

Linguistics & Translation 25

ANT 150: Introduction to Linguistics EAL 260: Global Work and Life: A Chinese Linguistics Approach EDU 337: TESOL Linguistics FRH 321: Introduction to Translation FRH 322: French Phonetics

Neuroscience & Brain Research 23

BIO 343: Molecular Neuroscience BIO 346: Neurobiology BIO 346L: Neurobiology Lab BIO 352: Developmental Neuroscience BIO 353: Functional Neuroanatomy

Architecture & Spatial Design 22

ART 110: Topics in Studio Art ART 111: Introduction to Studio Art and Design Fundamentals ART 121: Design Studio: Ethics and Aesthetics ART 122: Design Studio: Visualization of Ideas ART 124: Studio Practice with Digital Integration

Marketing & Brand Strategy 18

BEM 221: Principles of Marketing BEM 322: Global Marketing Strategy BEM 323: Selected Topics in Marketing BEM 324: Marketing Research BEM 325: Consumer Behavior

Biotechnology & Genetics 17

BMB 301: Special Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology BMB 372: Advanced Molecular Biology BMB 372L: Advanced Molecular Biology Laboratory BMB 381: Epigenetics BMB 381L: Epigenetics Laboratory

International Relations & Diplomacy 15

ANT 327: Global Justice and Human Rights in Latin America ECN 351: International Trade HST 309: European International Relations since World War I HST 333: European Diplomacy 1848-1914 POL 237: The Comparative Politics of Welfare States

Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Research 15

BMB 376: Biophysical Chemistry CHM 122: Organic Chemistry I CHM 122L: Organic Chemistry I Lab CHM 123: Organic Chemistry I Honors CHM 123L: Organic Chemistry I Honors Lab

Psychology Research (Non-Clinical) 15

AAS 378: Race, Memory, and Identity HST 378: Race, Memory, and Identity LIN 330: Introduction to Psycholinguistics and Language Acquisition PSY 221: Cognitive Psychology PSY 241: Developmental Psychology

Mathematics & Pure Research 14

MTH 111: Calculus with Analytic Geometry I MTH 112: Calculus with Analytic Geometry II MTH 205: Introduction to Linear Algebra and Differential Equations MTH 251: Ordinary Differential Equations MTH 311: Introductory Real Analysis I

Accounting & Audit 11

ACC 110: Introduction to Financial and Managerial Accounting ACC 111: Introductory Financial Accounting ACC 211: Intermediate Accounting I ACC 212: Intermediate Accounting II ACC 221: Introductory Management Accounting

Mental Health & Clinical Psychology 11

CNS 364: Creative Arts in Counseling EDU 206: Assessment for Positive Student Outcomes EDU 307: Instructional Design, Assessment, and Technology EDU 358: Leadership and Assessment in K-12 Schools HES 354: Assessment Techniques in Health and Exercise Science

Nonprofit & Social Impact 11

ANT 356: Language and Social Justice: Signs, Stigma and Social Capital COM 102: Debate and Advocacy COM 349: Advocacy, Debate and the Law EDU 304: Social Justice Issues in Education HST 350: World Economic History: Globalization, Wealth and Poverty, 1500-Present

Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation 10

BIO 308: Biomechanics BIO 308L: Biomechanics Lab EGR 349: Human Biomechanics EGR 351: Biomechanics of Animal Locomotion HES 150: Introduction to Health and Exercise Science

Economics & Economic Research 10

ECN 205: Intermediate Microeconomics ECN 207: Intermediate Macroeconomics ECN 209: Applied Econometrics ECN 210: Intermediate Mathematical Microeconomics ECN 211: Intermediate Mathematical Macroeconomics

Bioinformatics & Computational Biology 9

BMB 383: Genomics BMB 383L: Genomics Lab BIO 383: Genomics BIO 383L: Genomics Lab BIO 385: Bioinformatics

Public Policy & Government 9

BEM 362: Contemporary Issues in Law and Public Policy COM 300: Ancient Persuasions: Rhetoric and Democracy in Greece and Rome COM 340: Democracy, Slavery and Sex: Emancipation Discourse from the Founding to the Civil War POL 113: American Government and Politics POL 114: Comparative Government and Politics

Software Engineering 8

CSC 201: Data Structures and Algorithms CSC 231: Programming Languages CSC 331: Software Engineering CSC 333: Principles of Translators for Compilers and Interpreters CSC 341: Operating Systems

Biomedical Engineering 8

BIO 308: Biomechanics BIO 308L: Biomechanics Lab EGR 320: Biomedical Engineering Applications EGR 333: Tissue Engineering EGR 343: Biomaterials

Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering 8

ACP 101: Preparing for Academic Competition EGR 337: Biofluid Mechanics EGR 341: 3D Modeling and Additive Manufacturing EGR 346: Engineering Analysis of Vibrations EGR 348: Advanced Fluid Mechanics

Data Science & Analytics 6

CSC 373: Data Mining FIN 239: Financial Data Analytics POL 285: Data Visualization for Government and Consulting STA 112: Introduction to Regression and Data Science STA 365: Applied Bayesian Statistics

Pre-Law / Legal Studies 6

AAS 376: Civil Rights and Black Consciousness Movements HST 376: Civil Rights and Black Consciousness Movements PHY 347: Intellectual Property in Science and Engineering POL 225: American Constitutional Law: Separation of Powers and the Federal System POL 226: American Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties

Investment Banking & Finance 5

ECN 322: Money, Banking, & Financial Markets FIN 233: Equity Investments FIN 238: Financial Modeling FIN 335: Financial Derivatives FIN 336: Fixed Income and Financial Engineering

Actuarial Science & Insurance 5

BEM 393: Principles of Risk Management MTH 353: Probability Models MTH 357: Probability STA 111: Elementary Probability and Statistics STA 310: Probability

Public Health & Epidemiology 5

ANT 360: Anthropology of Global Health BIO 380: Biostatistics HES 360: Epidemiology HPA 150: Introduction to Public Health HPA 250: Internship in Health Policy and Administration

Environmental Engineering 4

EGR 319: Environmental Engineering ENV 203: Leadership for Sustainability ENV 381: Wilderness, the Anthropocene, and Global Sustainability ENV 395: Sustainability Lab/Clinic

Pharmacy & Drug Development 4

BIO 374: Neuropharmacology CHM 324: Medicinal Chemistry I CHM 324L: Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory PSY 222: Psychopharmacology

Physics & Astrophysics 4

PHY 310: Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology PHY 352: Physical Optics and Optical Design PHY 352L: Physical Optics Lab PHY 363: Condensed Matter Seminar

Marine & Ocean Science 4

BIO 311: Ecology and Conservation Biology of Coral Reefs BIO 341: Marine Biology BIO 341L: Marine Biology BIO 342: Oceanography

AI / Machine Learning 3

CSC 371: Artificial Intelligence CSC 374: Machine Learning CSC 375: Neural Networks and Deep Learning

Civil Engineering & Infrastructure 3

EGR 324: Hydrologic and Hydraulic Engineering EGR 330: Infrastructure Systems Design EGR 332: Structural Engineering I

Sports Analytics & Management 3

BEM 328: Sports Marketing SPM 201: Basic Athletic Training SPM 302: Advanced Athletic Training

Game Development & Design 2

BEM 388: Management Simulation ECN 316: Game Theory

Robotics & Autonomous Systems 2

EGR 311: Control Systems and Instrumentation EGR 334: Mobile Robotics

UX / Product Design 2

EGR 100: Basics of Prototyping with Hand and Power Tools EGR 101: Basics of 3D Prototyping

FinTech & Blockchain 2

FIN 334: Blockchain and Cryptoassets FIN 336: Fixed Income and Financial Engineering

AR / VR / Spatial Computing 2

CSC 363: Computer Graphics EGR 341: 3D Modeling and Additive Manufacturing

Clean Energy & Sustainability Engineering 2

EGR 317: Renewable Energy Systems ENT 335: Renewable Energy Entrepreneurship: Science, Policy, and Economics

Real Estate & Development 2

BEM 386: Selected Topics in Real Estate FIN 338: Real Estate Finance

Climate & Earth Science 2

BIO 208: Understanding Climate Change ENV 360: Climate Change

Cybersecurity 1

MTH 243: Codes and Cryptography

Cloud Computing & DevOps 1

EGR 330: Infrastructure Systems Design

Quantum Computing 1

PHY 345: Introduction to Quantum Computing

Chemical & Materials Engineering 1

EGR 321: Chemical Engineering Separations

Supply Chain & Logistics 1

MTH 253: Operations Research

Fashion & Luxury Industry 1

THE 251: Costume Design

Food Science & AgTech 1

HES 351: Nutrition in Health and Disease

Highest & Lowest ROI Majors at Wake Forest University

Highest-Earning Majors

Computer Science

$93,750/yr

Engineering

$90,000/yr

Mathematics & Statistics

$77,500/yr

Lowest-Earning Majors

Visual & Performing Arts

$42,500/yr

Parks, Recreation & Fitness

$43,750/yr

English Language & Literature

$45,000/yr

Popular Majors at Wake Forest University

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Business/Marketing

22.2%

Social Sciences

18.1%

Biological Sciences

9.0%

Communication

8.2%

Psychology

7.8%

Best Majors at Wake Forest University →

Wake Forest University Majors FAQs

What are the most popular majors at Wake Forest University?

Wake Forest University's most popular majors by share of degrees awarded are: Business/Marketing (22.2%), Social Sciences (18.1%), Biological Sciences (9.0%). The full ranking by graduate salary is in the table above.

Which major at Wake Forest University pays the most?

The highest-earning major at Wake Forest University is Computer Science, with a median 4-year-out salary of $93,750 — well above the school-wide median of $78,158.

Are some majors at Wake Forest University harder to get into than others?

Yes. Wake Forest University's overall acceptance rate is 21.6%, but selective programs (computer science, business, engineering, nursing) often admit at lower rates than the school-wide average. Check program-specific admission stats where available.

Should I pick my major based on salary at Wake Forest University?

Salary should be one factor, not the only one. Major choice impacts earnings (engineering and CS typically lead) but career fit, course interest, and graduation-rate within the major also matter. The salary table above shows the median pay by program at Wake Forest University.