Wake Forest University's published cost of attendance is $87,499. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $6,525, middle-income families pay around $7,647, and higher-income families pay approximately $58,081.
Select your family income to see your estimated cost
Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $87,499 |
| Tuition and Fees | $67,642 |
| Room and Board | $18,494 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,680 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$58,780 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $28,719 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $6,525 |
| $30–48k | $6,331 |
| $48–75k | $7,647 |
| $75–110k | $12,771 |
| $110k+ | $58,081 |
Wake Forest University's published cost of attendance is $87,499. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $6,525, middle-income families pay around $7,647, and higher-income families pay approximately $58,081. Azimuth ranks Wake Forest University #1063 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Wake Forest University meets demonstrated financial need for admitted students through a combination of need-based scholarships, grants, and loans. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile, and the university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Merit scholarships are also available for qualifying students, which can further reduce net price depending on academic and extracurricular profile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $30,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at Wake Forest University's median four-year earnings of $92,943, median federal debt of $21,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $243 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Wake Forest University earn median 4-year earnings of $92,943, placing the institution in the 93.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $9,791 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Wake Forest University in the 85.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Wake Forest University #40 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Wake Forest University's concentration in Business. Business/Commerce, General is the largest program with 154 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $118,167, representing 1.7× the national benchmark for the field. Finance and Political Science follow as substantial cohorts, with Political Science graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $85,668 at 1.4× the benchmark. Communication and Media Studies and Economics round out the top programs, with Communication and Media Studies graduates earning $77,984 and Economics graduates earning $98,209. This program-level diversity supports consistent long-term earnings growth across Wake Forest University's graduate cohort.
