CAMPUS · WINSTON-SALEM, NC · PRIVATE

Wake Forest University

21.6%

01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

Sticker Price vs What You Actually Pay

9% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating Wake Forest enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Full Cost Breakdown

Room & Board	$20,440
Total Cost of Attendance	$87,499

What You'll Actually Pay (Net Price by Income)

After financial aid, the real cost depends on your family's income. These are average net prices for students receiving aid.

Family Income	Annual Net Price	4-Year Total
$0-30k	$6,525	$26,100
$30-48k	$6,331	$25,324
$48-75k	$7,647	$30,588
$75-110k	$12,771	$51,084
$110k+	$58,081	$232,324

Financial Aid & Student Debt at Wake Forest University

9.0%

Pell Grant Recipients

$21,500

Median Debt at Graduation

Is Wake Forest University Worth the Cost? (ROI Analysis)

$78,158

Median Earnings (10yr)

$21,500

Median Debt

3.6x

Earnings-to-Debt Ratio

A ratio above 2x generally means the investment pays off. Wake Forest University — 3.6x ratio is excellent — graduates earn well relative to their debt burden.

Wake Forest University True Cost by Family Income

9% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating Wake Forest enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Family Income	Annual Net Price	4-Year Total
$0-30k	$6,525	$26,100
$30-48k	$6,331	$25,324
$48-75k	$7,647	$30,588
$75-110k	$12,771	$51,084
$110k+	$58,081	$232,324

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board	$20,440
Total Cost of Attendance	$87,499

Financial Aid & Student Debt

9.0%

Pell Grant Recipients

Students from low-income families

$21,500

Median Debt at Graduation

Federal loans only

$67,722

Median Earnings (6yr)

6 years after enrollment

Wake Forest University Tuition & Cost FAQs

How much does Wake Forest University actually cost per year?

Wake Forest University's sticker price (cost of attendance) is $87,499/yr — that includes tuition, room and board, and fees. After financial aid, the average family pays just $18,271/yr, a 79% discount off sticker price.

Does Wake Forest University offer good financial aid?

9% of Wake Forest University students receive Pell Grants (federal need-based aid). Most US colleges including Wake Forest University also award institutional grants on top of federal aid — apply via FAFSA, plus the CSS Profile if Wake Forest University requires it.

What income bracket pays the least at Wake Forest University?

Families earning under $30,000/yr typically pay around $6,525/yr at Wake Forest University after financial aid, while families earning over $110,000/yr pay closer to $58,081/yr. The full breakdown by income bracket is in the True Cost table above.

Is Wake Forest University worth the cost?

Wake Forest University graduates earn a median of $78,158 10 years post-graduation. Against a 4-year sticker cost of about $349,996 (less for most families with aid), grads typically recoup the investment within several years of work.