More selective than 95% of North Carolina colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
26% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 22% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Wake Forest University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What Wake Forest University weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as Wake Forest University reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- Class rank
- High school GPA
- Essay
- Character and personal qualities
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- SAT/ACT scores
- First-generation college student
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Your demonstrated interest
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
You hear early and can still apply elsewhere.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Wake Forest University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Wake Forest University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 700 | 750 |
| SAT math | 710 | 770 |
| ACT composite | 32 | 34 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1410 | 1520 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Wake Forest University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 22% | 700–750 | 710–770 | 32–34 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 22% | 690–740 | 700–770 | 32–34 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Wake Forest University compared with other North Carolina colleges?
Wake Forest University has the 4th-lowest acceptance rate of 56 North Carolina colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duke University | 6% | 97% | $29,612 |
| 2 | Davidson College | 13% | 91% | $17,379 |
| 3 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 15% | 91% | $11,655 |
| 4 | Wake Forest University | 22% | 89% | $28,719 |
| 5 | Cabarrus College of Health Sciences | 23% | 71% | $17,618 |
| 6 | University of North Carolina School of the Arts | 30% | 78% | $14,906 |
| 7 | Saint Augustine's University | 34% | 25% | $24,313 |
| 8 | Carolina University | 40% | 22% | $20,828 |
| 9 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | 42% | 85% | $17,303 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All North Carolina colleges →
Who enrolls at Wake Forest University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Wake Forest University admissions questions
What is the Wake Forest University acceptance rate?
Wake Forest University accepts 22% of applicants, about 1 in 5. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 3,768 of 17,479 applicants were admitted.
Does Wake Forest University require the SAT or ACT?
Wake Forest University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 26% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 22% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Wake Forest University?
The middle 50% of Wake Forest University enrolled first-year students scored 1410–1520 on the SAT and 32–34 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Wake Forest University?
37% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (1,385 of 3,768).
What does Wake Forest University look for in applicants?
Wake Forest University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, class rank, high school GPA, essay, character and personal qualities. Important: recommendations, interview, extracurricular activities, talent or ability. Considered: sAT/ACT scores, first-generation college student, alumni relation (legacy), where you live, state residency, religious affiliation, volunteer work, work experience, your demonstrated interest. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does Wake Forest University have early decision?
Yes. Wake Forest University offers binding early decision. It also offers non-binding early action.
Is Wake Forest University getting harder to get into?
Wake Forest University accepted 22% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 22% for Fall 2023.
Is Wake Forest University the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; Wake Forest University's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Wake Forest University overview