Wake Forest University Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

Wake Forest University, founded in 1834, is a prestigious private university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, known for its exceptional undergraduate teaching and strong professional schools. Wake Forest's liberal arts core curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and communication skills, with particular strengths in business, law, and medicine. The university's Reynolda Campus features a mix of Georgian and modern architecture, including the innovative Wake Downtown health sciences campus. Wake Forest's student-faculty ratio of 11:1 fosters close mentoring relationships.

The university's Pro Humanitate motto inspires a culture of service, reflected in programs like the Institute for Public Engagement. Wake Forest's NCAA Division I athletics, especially basketball, foster strong school spirit. The university's alumni network includes CEOs, senators, and leaders in diverse fields who credit Wake Forest with preparing them for lives of purpose and impact. Wake Forest's blend of Southern tradition and academic rigor creates a distinctive educational experience.

Wake Forest University Acceptance Rate

Wake Forest University Admission Requirements

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Wake Forest University SAT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. For the 2026 academic cycle, the landscape of standardized testing has shifted back toward Test-Required policies at the majority of highly selective and Ivy+ institutions. Following a multi-year "Test-Optional" pilot, data-driven results have led universities like Harvard, Yale, Brown, and the University of Texas at Austin to reinstate the SAT and ACT as mandatory components of the application.

In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2025 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.

Wake Forest University Average SAT Score: 1469
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Wake Forest University is 1469 on the 1600 SAT scale.

SAT Competitiveness

This score makes it very Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to do very well to score 1469 on the SAT.

Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1510 SAT or 34 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Wake Forest University allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.

If your score is below 1390, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to Wake Forest University. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.

SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

Section	Average	25th Percentile	75th Percentile
SAT Math	735	700	770
SAT Reading	715	690	740
SAT Composite	1469	1390	1510

It means that if you have scored less than 1390 then you are below most of the admitted students at Wake Forest University and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1510 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1450

Can I get into Wake Forest University with a 1500 SAT?

With a 1500 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Wake Forest University are good but the admission staff at Wake Forest University tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.

Wake Forest University ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at Wake Forest University is 33.

ACT Competitiveness

This score makes Wake Forest University very Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do very well to score 33 on the ACT.

ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

Section	Average	25th Percentile	75th Percentile
ACT Math	31	29	33
ACT English	34	33	35
ACT Composite	33	32	34

Can I get into Wake Forest University with a 34 ACT?

With a 34 ACT Score, your chances of admission at Wake Forest University are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. The College Admission process tests your all-around personality and academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 33.

Wake Forest University Profile

Name: Wake Forest University

Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)

How much does a degree from Wake Forest University Cost?

The average annual cost of the degree at Wake Forest University is USD: 82818. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Wake Forest University is much less than this.

How can I get a scholarship?

9.49% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 14.58 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Wake Forest University and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.

At Wake Forest University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Wake Forest University as your choice in the form.

How much a Wake Forest University Graduate make?

The average annual salary of the graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 78158. An average Wake Forest University graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).

The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Colorado College	Colorado College, CO	1445	33
George Washington University	George Washington University, DC	1433	33
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, GA	1447	31
Tulane University of Louisiana	Tulane University of Louisiana, LA	1443	32
Bates College	Bates College, ME	1446	32
Babson College	Babson College, MA	1435	32
Mount Holyoke College	Mount Holyoke College, MA	1422	32
Hillsdale College	Hillsdale College, MI	1433	32
Macalester College	Macalester College, MN	1424	32
Stevens Institute of Technology	Stevens Institute of Technology, NJ	1447	33

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Northeastern University Oakland	Northeastern University Oakland, CA	1472	32
Occidental College	Occidental College, CA	1461	33
University of Maryland-College Park	University of Maryland-College Park, MD	1463	34
Boston University	Boston University, MA	1473	33
Brandeis University	Brandeis University, MA	1473	33

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Claremont McKenna College	Claremont McKenna College, CA	1514	34
Harvey Mudd College	Harvey Mudd College, CA	1537	35
Pomona College	Pomona College, CA	1520	34
University of Southern California	University of Southern California, CA	1501	34
Wesleyan University	Wesleyan University, CT	1513	34

Degree Programs

Bachelor Degree Programs

• Accounting and Related Services
• Anthropology
• Area Studies
• Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
• Biology, General
• Business/Commerce, General
• Chemistry
• Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
• Communication and Media Studies
• Computer Science

Frequently Asked Questions About Wake Forest University Admissions

Full list of All degree programs offered by Wake Forest University.

Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2025, US Department of Education's latest 2025 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.

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