Winston-Salem, NC · Private University
Is Wake Forest University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$78,158
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$64,758
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$64,758
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$259,032
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.21x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
90.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$28,746
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Wake Forest University graduates earn $33,158 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Wake Forest University ranked by graduate earnings
29 graduates
50 graduates
55 graduates
55 graduates
61 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Wake Forest University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Wake Forest University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $114,622) and the lowest (Sociology: $57,671) is $56,951/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $114,622 | 1.8x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $113,398 | 1.8x |
| Economics | $91,751 | 1.4x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $91,708 | 1.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $70,723 | 1.1x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $68,083 | 1.1x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $66,625 | 1.0x |
| Biology, General | $60,300 | 0.9x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $60,234 | 0.9x |
| Psychology, General | $59,767 | 0.9x |
| SociologyLowest | $57,671 | 0.9x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wake Forest University | 1.21x | $78,158 | Average ROI |
| University of Richmond | 1.22x | $76,178 | Average ROI |
| Davidson College | 1.35x | $81,400 | Average ROI |
| Emory University | 1.32x | $80,137 | Average ROI |
| Case Western Reserve University | 1.36x | $87,989 | Average ROI |
| Villanova University | 1.55x | $100,423 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
Wake Forest University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $78,158 10 years after starting — $33,158 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 6 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.